Bookworm Meets Bookworm

A Review: Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson

2012-02-23T09:39:00.001-05:00

I cannot imagine how I will cope when I discover that my life is behind me, has already happened, and I have nothing to show for it. No treasure house of recollection, no wealth of experience, no accumulated wisdom to pass on. What are we, if not an accumulation of our memories?

Before I Go To Sleep has officially gained the title of shortest life on the shelf. I purchased it on a trip to Left Bank Books in St. Louis on Sunday. (Is this the cutest little book store I've ever visited? Possibly.) After four days of what was basically non-stop travel, I was looking forward to dedicating Tuesday to reading. And that's exactly what I did.

Christine Lucas wakes up each and everyday to an unfamiliar body lying next to her. When she rushes to the bathroom, she is shocked to find herself aged 20 years, with no memory of the days leading to this one. When she begins secretly meeting Ed Nash, a doctor who believes her memories are trapped on account of trauma, the audience learns small pieces of Christine's life before and after the accident, as she documents the day-to-day in a journal hidden in her closet.

Let me start by saying that this is not going to be your read of the year, and this certainly isn't going to be on any flawless list, but books that were highly entertaining? Yes, it should certainly carve a spot there. After reading reviews from Jackie at Farm Lane Books and Carrie at Nomad Reader, I knew that it wasn't going to be easy to put down.

Sure, there are several inconsistencies, and there are a number of "that sure is convenient" moments, but the premise is interesting. The pace is quick, and I was genuinely surprised with some of the events that managed to emerge. The characters maintained a depth despite the brevity of their appearances. I found that I was constantly changing my judgement of some characters, although I was well aware that Christine was completely unreliable. Overall, it was a very smart and entertaining thriller. I'll be looking forward to more of Watson's work in the future!

Read Before I Go To Sleep? If so, I'd love recommendations of similar reads!

Books I Need

2012-02-10T09:50:00.001-05:00

Ok, ok. So it's more like the books I want. But I'm sticking to saying I NEED them, all whiny like. J knows what I'm talking about. While struggling through The Shadow of the Wind (the review will be dedicated to Ben from Dead End Follies who's been my cheerleader throughout the process), I've found myself dreaming of other titles I can't wait to read when I'm finally finished.

Here goes...

The Snow Child

Eowyn Ivey

I stumbled upon this title while scanning my Goodreads updates. Then I began to see it everywhere. Funny how that happens. A Russian winter and magic? Go on, I'm listening. I'm trying to remain ignorant of most of the plot, but I like what I've read so far. Only time will tell.

Death Come to Pemberley

P.D. James

I've been tempted to purchase this one every time I've walked into B&N recently. It's always there, front row, begging to be carried home. And yet... I just haven't. I've also realized that I may have never read Austen's Pride and Prejudice (I'll understand if you decide to abandon my blog at this point), which is a must because DCTP is essentially a sequel, but with murder and mystery. My plan is to tackle Pride and Prejudice (which I own) and then buy DCTP. Thoughts?

Last but NOT Least...

War and Peace

Leo Tolstoy

Yes, War and Peace is actually apart of this post. Like, I actually want to go out and pick up a copy of W&P and sit and read it. I'll say that this had a lot to do with Brent announcing he was tackling it and me feeling like I should too because I love Tolstoy (or his work anyway). I'm actually really excited at the prospect. I remember sitting down to Anna Karenina... love at first site. I hear that the above photo is a great translation, but I'm open to suggestions.

What books have you been eyeing? Read some of these? Feel free to encourage me!

Happy Friday!

A Gift: 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die

2012-02-03T09:15:00.000-05:00

I don't anticipate receiving books on holidays, birthdays, or any other occasion where exchanging gifts is expected because I never think to ask for them. So, when I acquired 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die from J's Mom for Christmas, I was ecstatic. You can ask J, he was there. I immediately pulled out a pack of post-its (you know, the tiny size, designed for bookmarking) and began noting the titles that I wanted to accomplish this year.

The week that followed was no doubt some Olympic-medal-worthy action. I flipped through every single page in one sitting, counting the titles I had completed as I went along. I scribbled notes on each chapter and compiled the numbers.

The grand total: 36 out of 1001 (it's something!)

I broke it down by time period ("chapters" in the book):

1 from the 1700s

14 from the 1800s

19 from the 1900s

2 from the 2000s

Then I figured I'd make more lists to complete the experience.

Favorites:

Madame Bovary*
Gustave Flaubert
Pub: 1857

Anna Karenina*
Leo Tolstoy
Pub: 1877

Jude the Obscure*
Thomas Hardy
Pub: 1895

Ethan Frome*
Edith Wharton
Pub: 1911

Middlesex*
Jeffrey Eugenides
Pub: 2002

Most Anticipated TBR:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Pub: 1892

Surfacing
Margaret Atwood
Pub: 1972

If On a Winter's Night a Traveler*
Italo Calvino
Pub: 1979

Birdsong
Sebastian Faulks
Pub: 1993

Felicia's Journey*
William Trevor
Pub: 1994

Titles new to me:

The Return of the Soldier
Rebecca West
Pub: 1918

The Well of Loneliness
Radclyffe Hall
Pub: 1928

* Owned

I've enjoyed making lists and thinking back on all the books I've read in my life. I'm looking forward to exploring new work and finding new favorites.

I know this is quite a popular title in the book world, so I'm hoping you'll share your own experience and favorites!

Let Me Just Say...

2012-02-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

That sometimes I seriously consider dropping Blogger altogether. Sure, I find it much easier to navigate than some sites like WordPress (but that's probably just because I've been using Blogger for a year and a half now). Actually, I hate to admit this, but I've actually switched to WordPress for the other projects I'm scheming. Let's just pretend I didn't say that.

My Blogger rant began this morning when I went to edit a small little spacing error to the post I was about to publish. The spacing error baffles me and the HTML just doesn't even.. well, never mind. I was doing that whole, write it and let it sit for a while, in order to return with a fresh set of eyes. NO! How could I have been so practical? This simple correction led to the deletion of an entire section of text! But then, you know, when I try to click to UNDO, I'm suddenly all the way back to when I initially drafted the post, white space galore. Ugh. So, in my defense, especially considering I do tech work FOR A LIVING, I am very sad that I didn't get to share my most anticipated post (now I've got you speculating).

Friday. I can feel it. Friday is definitely my day.

Because I was really excited about today's post I felt that I could take this opportunity to pose another question on my mind.

I recently picked Once Upon A River by Bonnie Jo Campbell on our little excursion to Chattanooga (and like the best book store EVER). Ok, superfluous information, but I picked it up despite really trying to stick to a budget because I had wanted it for months. How could I resist the narrative of a girl traveling along a river, her guidance a book about Annie Oakley? I was excited because I felt like it was something quite different from many of the books I've been reading recently, and sometimes you just need a change. But after 100 pages I felt so disgusted with many of the pages of the book that I just stopped reading. And I was furious. How could I have been so excited about a book only to be disappointed and out twelve bucks? I wanted to pick it back up, give it another shot. Maybe it's just me and I'm missing out on something really great (I never really found a bad review) at the end of the novel.

So this is my question to you:

How do you handle uncomfortable scenes in novels? Do you continue to read because you know it's fiction? Do you cast the novel aside and just hope that the next book grabs you?

Not so relevant: I also read 100 pages of The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt, my first, which was also very disappointing. It was like reading Anna Karenina but not at all like reading Anna Karenina. I'll let you talk me into picking this one up again.

A Review: The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons

2012-01-25T10:01:00.001-05:00

Elise Landau, at 19 years old, has lived a privileged life among her liberal family in Vienna, Austria. Champagne, luxurious bath salts and silk dresses are the norm. However, as many Jewish families begin to disappear, Elise is shipped to England to work as a house maid in an expansive, stately home by the seaside, while her family stays behind. The reader watches as Elise struggles to digest new expectations, the uncertainty of her parents whereabouts and the declaration of WWII. When Elise meets Kit, the heir to the Tyneford estate, life becomes more colorful than Elise could ever have imagined.

I picked this novel up when I saw that it was compared to Downton Abbey (I was actually hoping for something less soapy and a bit more historical). I can say, for certain, that it was very much like Downton Abbey (Wrexham is Carson in my mind), soaptastic and all. I managed to finish it rather quickly as the story moves at a steady pace and didn't require too much analysis.

Solomons stunned me with her descriptions of the luxury of the city of Vienna, and the verdurous landscape of the English countryside. Tyneford, a city by the sea, is described in such detail that you can smell the salty air and the sand on your skin.

Solomons realistically displayed the changes to Elise's character as the story progressed. Elise, the baby of the family, is spoiled and naive. She's often whiny and suffers from self esteem issues. However, once in England, Elise loses her freedom immediately, and it's here that we she finally begins to construct her own identity. After being forced into service, Elise is independent for the first time in her life. She befriends a vibrant cast of characters and revels in the landscape that surrounds her.

I'll admit that a romance constitutes the last half of the novel. And this was the bit that I didn't really enjoy. I felt that most of the situations created to help the story along were contrived and mostly outrageous. I was disappointed in the lack of detail about Elise's emotional turmoil. One never knows how individuals respond in difficult times, especially being forced from your family, but I felt that the author focused on her love life and not the serious events that were occurring all around. The conclusion was a little rushed and left me wanting more insight on Elise's life after the war.

All and all, it was an entertaining read that I managed to finish rather quickly. I definitely recommend it to those seeking interesting characters and landscapes without making a huge investment. And I highly recommend it to those who need a Downton fix while waiting for the next episode.

A Review: The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

"I think that when we have false assumptions about the world, we make the wrong decisions."

The Borrower was my second to last read of 2011. I casually opened it up one afternoon during the extended Christmas holiday, and shut it, a few hours later.

I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into when I purchased this beautiful book. To be perfectly clear: I picked it up because 1) the cover art was so incredibly awesome & 2) it was in pristine condition. I had to have it.

That being said, I knew from reading the jacket that it was about a librarian and her adventure after inadvertently kidnapping a patron. I also knew there would be mention of books (because, again, look at the cover).

The novel is narrated by Lucy, a second generation Russian-American, working as a librarian in a small Midwestern town. Lucy explains that she could have decided to do anything she wanted with her father's connections (considering he may or may not be a part of the Russian Mob in Chicago), but instead has decided to make her own way in life. We're introduced to Ian, Lucy's victim, while he routinely visits the library for designated weekly youth reading hour, and his overbearing Christian mother, who apparently doesn't weigh more than 100 pounds. We see Lucy's failing love life, (she suddenly starts "dating" a small scale composer whose work closely resembles the Mr. Clean jingle, and the awkward work/friend relationship she has with Rocky, another employee at the library). When Lucy discovers that Ian has been placed in a class for children who need guidance solidifying the "right" sexuality, Lucy becomes more and more concerned with his family life.

I really enjoyed this novel because of its humorous tone and Lucy's free flowing thought processes. Makkai managed to smartly tie in some great discussion material, which kept the novel together, despite the mostly ridiculous circumstances. The characters were solid and really made the novel for me.

Makkai's frequent references to perception were most fascinating. Lucy perceives Ian's life as that of a child that is neglected. Throughout the novel, the reader witnesses Lucy make assumptions about the world and those that are nearest and dearest to her. As much as she abhors this act in others, we find that she is unable to recognize this flaw in her own character. Lucy makes a rash decision in an attempt to provide a better lifestyle for someone, when she realizes that she doesn't understand what may or may not be a better lifestyle, or the truth of Ian's family life, for that matter. While Lucy ultimately means well, her ignorance and failure to see past her own wishful thinking results in poor decisions and inadequate generalizations. Overall, the novel provided social commentary on many current topics, which I believe enhanced the storyline, making it relatable.

While the ending (and many other occurrences) were outright unbelievable, I really enjoyed the characters and was perfectly happy accepting Makkai's conclusion.

Reading Rant: A Slow Start to 2012

2012-01-17T10:13:00.002-05:00

To date, I've finished one book. One book.

However, I'm currently juggling four, despite the fact that I despise reading more than one novel at a time. Anyone? Anyone? I started John Banville's The Sea, and Nuala O'Faolain's Are You Somebody? to get a jump start on the Ireland Reading Challenge. But it's been slow going and I find that I'm desperately trying to make myself read both. Fear not! I've decided that I'm going to finish these at some point in the future, so I'm taking a small break before picking them up again.

I ventured to Barnes and Noble yesterday to buy myself a little Downton-like read since J and I just had a 5-hour marathon of Downton Abbey watching. The trip was successful and I'm working on carving out time during the busy week ahead.

Let's also just pretend that I'm not still behind on reviews of Rebecca Makkai's The Borrower, Jacqueline Winspear's Birds of a Feather and Heidi Durrow's The Girl Who Fell from the Sky. They'll come. I promise.

This is more than just a report of the fact that I'm TV watching instead of reading (I'm actually in shock of the truth of this statement), or that work has been a non-stop blur of meetings and late nights and weekend email threads, or that I've been a bit of a lazy blogger. No. I wanted to mention that this is the start of me blogging less frequently than before. I'm embarking on a new creative journey that I'm really excited about. For months, I've been scheming a project that would focus on the local aspect of my life, and that, of course, requires that I dedicate much more time to bringing it to life. Don't worry... I'll be sharing for all of you that are interested.

I'll still be scouring book blogs for recommendations and to leave little comments. And I still plan on hosting a read along of sorts that I hope you'll join me for as well.

How's 2012 treating you thus far?

My Year in Reading: 2011

2011-12-30T10:23:00.000-05:00

Last year I completed 23 books after a shamefully long period of not reading much at all. I'll admit that my decision to start the book blog really helped me actually get to that number. So this year, after checking my Goodreads pledge, I'm happy to say I finished 38. I may not have met my goal of 50, but it's a start.

I don't think I read as many classics this year. I think I started taking mysteries to a whole new level. It was varied and enjoyable. All and all, it was a great year on my shelves.

Top Five Reads of 2011

One.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

I never did get around to writing a review for this (for shame!) because I remember it was shortly after the haze of dental surgery. But I do know that I COULD NOT put this one down. It also lead me to pick up The Woman in White because Setterfield does more than drop a reference or two.

Two.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Part I
Part II

I hosted a little read-along last year with the help of Brenna at literary musings. Great pick and very happy that so many participated. We're already considering hosting another in 2012.

Three.

Tana French series:

In the Woods

The Likeness

Faithful Place

I love Tana French's writing. The end.

Four.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

Yep, I finally got around to reading it. And I loved the characters and the suspense (ok, so it wasn't so much the suspense).

Five.

The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

This was certainly a strange read. It was slow going down and the content was usually quite grim. However, I really loved the landscape and the perspective of a child witnessing the Salem witch trials without the theatrics you often find in books on this subject. It really seemed like a more accurate representation of the individuals involved in this horrific event. Again, another I didn't manage to blog about, but one that I still remember reading like it was yesterday.

Oddly enough, many of these were on my mid-year review.

Honorable Mention:

The Bell Jar

Interpreter of Maladies

The Borrower

Hope everyone has very safe and happy New Year celebrations!

A Review: Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:00

"The noise was constantly distracting, at times suffocating."

Once again, I've been blown away by Lahiri's work. My introduction to Lahiri's work was The Namesake, which I will tell you, I absolutely adore. I found that often, when I discussed really enjoying said title, I'd receive an automatic recommendation for this collection of short stories. I was so glad to be able to share the experience with my reading group, because it was such a beautiful work, and was really enjoyed by all. I feel that even with the amount of time we devoted to discussing this collection, there is much to be ascertained upon subsequent reads. (And I will be rereading it.)

Lahiri is certainly a master of language. She so brilliantly constructs a very real environment, with a large and varied cast of characters. Her constructions are fastidious without being superfluous and taxing. I felt that each character was smartly designed and used to help maintain a certain flow from one story to the next.

This title, comprised of nine short stories, moves between the lives of those living in India, those from India that have recently relocated to America and those with interactions with these individuals. Once again, Lahiri's work heavily focuses on the changes that one experiences when moving out of their comfort zone. Individuals facing a culture that is so very foreign, while remaining loyal to their own traditions and expectations. Because Lahiri sets the reader up with glimpses into the lives of those within the confines of a static community, and those moving outside of these constructions, the reader recognizes this dichotomy for comparative purposes. Furthermore, Lahiri effectively brings attention to intimate details of daily life that are often overlooked.

Lahiri is also able to manipulate the perspective of the Christian reader, when she introduces a young, second generation Indian couple, who purchase a home in New England. When Twinkle, an eccentric wife, finds small religious relics throughout the house, and begins to display them on the mantle, the Christian objects become exotic and "collectible." Despite protestations from her husband, who begins questioning the marriage, Twinkle does not relent. We see that our character simultaneously begrudges his more "Americanized" wife, and fears losing his Indian identity, despite being out of touch with many traditions himself. It speaks volumes about millions of second and third generation Americans, who battle maintaining an identity through tradition, while growing up in another society. "This Blessed House" quickly became one of my favorite stories of the book.

Lahiri manages to seize the reader and explore worlds of love and loss, fear and despair. The last story manages to really pull the whole thing together, with a heartfelt conclusion, while juxtaposing two characters that represent very different ways of moving through life. All in all, I really believe that Lahiri wanted to stress that while you may encounter many changes in your life, there are some things you'll never let go of, and those that you'll embrace with arms wide open. And that is the beauty of this collection.

One of my favorite passages:

Whenever he is discouraged, I tell him that if I can survive on three continents, then there is no obstacle he cannot conquer [...] Still, there are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept. As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination.

I highly recommend Jhumpa Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies.

Five Days of Christmas: Vacations

2011-12-23T15:38:00.001-05:00

I'm a lazy litte bookwork today. And you're probably feeling lazy too. Unless you're in retail, then I'm just feeling for you because I know how much that sucks.

This morning I slept in, albeit in a giant, lonely bed. I woke up and had a delicious cup of coffee straight from the french press. I read and scoured blogs and decided what I'd make for Christmas dinner with my lady friends. And now I'm heading out for a walk around town to pick up some last minute knick knacks at some of the local shops in the neighborhood. It's glorious, I tell you. If only the next season of Downton Abbey would be released tonight... it'd be the icing on the cake. Oh well, a girl can dream.

On the fifth day of Christmas...

I'm so thankful for vacations.

Small little breaks from the hustle and bustle of the eight to five.

So thankful for moments sipping fresh coffee, while sitting in my breakfast nook that's filled with sunlight.

Happy to spend the morning singing to the kitties and petting them until they curl up and fall asleep.

Long walks around the neighborhood and staying in PJs until noon.

Extended meals and warm cuddles. Free time and creativity.

I'm so thankful for the little vacations I am so lucky to be granted.

Happy Holidays!
(P.s. If you haven't used google today, you should definitely check out the banner running now!)

Five Days of Christmas: Book Club

2011-12-22T11:29:00.005-05:00

Last night we celebrated our final night of Christmas. No tears! And I'll admit that J really got me good with something I've wanted since high school. Yes, high school.

Nerd alert:

It's fantastic and just the gift that we'll no doubt share with generations to come. Three cheers for Harry Potter!

Thinking about the future inevitably makes me think about the past. This year has definitely been a great one. I got an exciting job. I found a cozy apartment with my little family. I traveled to 9 states and spent time in twice as many new cities. I became an aunt to the most precious little girl in all the world. I continued to blog and meet people and develop new talents. I even celebrated a year of hosting a local book group in September. An entire year of getting together with a group of people to discuss books. It doesn't get much better than that. 2011 was amazing.

On the fourth day of Christmas...

I'm grateful for the nights that I get to join my friends at small tables with glasses of wine and dog-eared pages.

A group to share thoughts and ideas.

Discussions and arguments.

I like Christmas parties with baked goods and books in pretty paper available for swapping.

I look forward to late nights of getting worked up about a theme or a setting.

The lack of character development or the sadness of the plot.

I am most grateful because I met a great group of women that I'm lucky enough to now call my friends.

I'm elated that the book club turned into other events and running 5Ks and birthday parties and movie dates.

I'm grateful that I managed to connect with others that rejoice in nerdery and love it!

I can't stress enough how amazing joining a book group can be. I decided to start my own when I couldn't find one in Atlanta and I've never regretted it.

Hope everyone's having a happy Thursday!

Five Days of Christmas: Blog Lovin'

2011-12-21T09:47:00.000-05:00

For whatever reason this has been the worst part of my year in reading. Each evening after the work day and the unwrapping of gifts, I make the most pathetic attempt at getting into a novel. Of course, the second of the Maisie Dobbs series is very interesting, but sometimes I need toothpicks to hold my eyes open. I'm, in all honesty, completely exhausted. However, I'm not complaining... the season is definitely worth the hard work.

There are, of course, other bloggers that are putting me to shame. They're participating in readathons and readalongs all while maintaining a social life and a career and having babies and visiting the world and...ok, so I might want to say they're overachievers. But that's just the green-wtih-envy bit coming out. Plus, I reap the benefits of their reading endeavors. They tell me what books to look for and those to stay away from. They share different perspectives and call attention to things I may have missed. They post stories about their lives that make me laugh and smile. It's just a win-win situation.

On the third day of Christmas...

Bloggers fill your days with happiness and sunshine and kittens. I guess it's all about how you look at it.
They're super smart and witty.
They're social and conversational.
They're pulling quotations that want to make you cry. Or laugh. Or both.
While they may prevent me from cutting the book budget (just look at my TBR list), I'm so happy to have discovered so many great titles.

They make up a place to share joy and cheer and the exciting bits in life.
They make up a place to hold meaningful and intelligent discussions (for those, like me, who miss the lecture halls and debate sessions).

I'm so thrilled that I had the opportunity to join a community of awesome people who listen to my rants and share in my triumphs.

Thanks for all the blog love & endless reviews & all your hard work!

A little blog roll love during the holidays. While these aren't the only blogs I love to visit, here are a few bloggers who really make my day.

Carrie at nomadreader

Brenna at literary musings

Col at ColReads

Jenna at Literature and a Lens

Sam at Tiny Library

Catherine at Bookish Habits

Andi at Estella's Revenge

Daryln at Your Move, Dickens

Ben at Dead End Follies

Have a very happy Wednesday!

Five Days of Christmas: My Little Family

2011-12-20T09:55:00.003-05:00

Last night we celebrated our third night of Christmas. I'll admit that it makes me just a teeny bit sad. I'll refrain from singing "I'll I Want From Christmas Is You" because 1) people would ask me to stop singing, and 2) well, it's really that people would ask me to stop singing, and that might hurt my feelings.

Insert exciting gift announcement: J gave me the prettiest little iPhone case. It's all bookish and stuff. I can't tell you how much I like love like it.

Cue pathetic phone photo:

I'll just say it: J is a master gift giver. I'm not complaining.

Aside from the gifts, he's pretty much amazing. Surprise lunch visits even though he has to pay a million dollars to park in the city to visit? Check. Singing and dancing in the morning with the cats when I'm running around getting ready? Check. Supportive and encouraging? Check. Up for morning cuddles when he'd rather be sleeping? Check. Ok, I didn't just post that he cuddles on the internet. He is pretty much the moon and the sun and all that to me.

On the second day of Christmas...

I'm so grateful for my little family.

J & Stevie & Shirley.

I'm so thankful for over two and a half years of waking up each morning to a beautiful face and two beautiful kitties (even if they do whine because they're so hungry in the morning... you take the good with the bad).

I'm so thankful for the nights of curling up on the couch, all of us in the room together, just enjoying the company.

I'm so thankful to call Stevie and Shirley my little babies. They're cute and cuddly and soft.

And us, we're goofy and make up stories about what they do during the day when we're gone. (And it's always far more exciting than what we've been doing.)

He's all tall and handsome and bear-like. And funny and definitely really smart. Plus, he plays the drums (and that's like the hottest thing EVER).

I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Hope everyone's enjoying these last days before the holiday... listening to carols and eating sweets and thinking about your loved ones.

Five Days of Christmas: Atlanta

2011-12-19T10:14:00.000-05:00

Usually around the holidays I tend to begin seriously thinking about all the things I'm grateful for in my life. Of course, I recognize these things on a daily basis, but I like to think that I can get away with posting about these for a whole week when everyone is feeling extra nice.

J and I have a tradition of celebrating five days leading up to Christmas because we don't get to spend the holiday together. It's great because it's five days of hot cocoa and homemade marshmallows, presents galore and Christmas tunes on the iPod. I love it.

It's also become a time to share the things that make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Each night we exchange a little note expressing something we love about one another. Because this activity brings so much joy to the season, I thought I'd extend the practice to this here blog, with the hopes that you'd want to participate, too.

On the first day of Christmas...

There are things that I just love about my city. Atlanta.

It's large but also small.

It's green and urban.

The little neighborhoods that snuggly lie on top of one another vary so greatly that it's a whirlwind of adventure.

Mild winters coupled with blazing hot summers are just right for little ol' me.

It's art and foodie finds and neighborhood parks.

It's bicycles and cozy coffee shops and craft collectives.

I think about how grateful I am to live in my cute little apartment in the middle of it all every single day.
And one day, when I move far away, I'm sure I'll still call it home.

Feel free to copy this image and use along should you decide to participate (don't forget to leave us a little comment so we can take a peek too). And don't worry about specifics... go ahead and post about anything that makes you oh-so-happy!

Ireland Reading Challenge 2012

2011-12-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this challenge while perusing my blog roll this morning and couldn't resist. I've realized that sometimes I just don't have the discipline to finish challenges. Sadly, I was unable to complete the Classics Challenge hosted by Sarah Reads Too Much, despite being really excited about my choices. I managed to complete four out of eight books selected. Better luck next time.

This year I'm turning over a new leaf... I'm vowing to complete the Ireland Reading Challenge.

I. will. finish.

I was lucky enough to visit Ireland with my brother several years ago. And it was amazing (best trip ever)! Fascinated with Ireland, we managed to tour Dublin and nearby towns, before heading to England, to visit Liverpool and London. Upon returning, I knew that I had to see more of Ireland.

And what better way to experience the culture and landscape when unable to make the trip?!

So, here I am, pledging my commitment to this challenge in 2012. Because I had so many Irish writers on my TBR list, I was able to quickly choose 7 titles that I knew I'd be eager to pick up.

The List:

1 - The Sea by John Banville*

2 - After Rain by William Trevor*

3 - Broken Harbour by Tana French (Summer 2012)

4 - Are You Somebody: The Accidental Memoir of a Dublin Woman by Nuala O'Faolain

5 - Black Potatoes: The Story of the Great Irish Famine 1845-1850 by Susan Campbell Baltoletti

6 - The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne by Brian Moore*

7 - A World of Love by Elizabeth Moran

The list is a nice mix of writers that I'm already smitten with, and those that will offer me an introduction. Very excited to share with the blog world as I complete each title!

Are there any titles you think I may be missing? If so, send suggestions my way and I'll be glad to take a look.

*Titles owned

A Review: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

2011-12-09T09:23:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you finally get around to starting a series that you've been meaning to pick up forever. Sometimes you realize that you're glad you waited because the present seems to be the perfect time. With the bustle (and stress!) of the holidays, I prefer something that isn't as demanding (The Marriage Plot) when I actually get to take small breaks to read.

Ok, so I'll admit I was a bit hesitant to start the novel when I found numerous comparisons to Agatha Christie's style. However, I didn't want to completely dismiss it because most reviews were quite positive. I'm really so happy to say that I was very much impressed with the overall story and can't wait to start the next book.

When the novel begins, we watch as Maisie proudly opens her own practice as a detective in London. Her first case, which appears to be an open and shut sort of infidelity, sheds light on to darker subjects leading Maisie to a much larger investigation.

The novel introduces the audience to our heroine, Maisie Dobbs, shifting from the present to past. The reader views Maisie as a bright, young girl, eagerly indulging in her studies, building the foundation of her career, before moving forward, years later, when men and women, like Maisie, have begun to rebuild their lives after the Great War. Set in London in the teens and mid 1920s, Winspear provides a close look at some pretty major shifts in society. Wealthy families begin to lose staff with the increase of higher paying jobs available in larger cities. (Honestly, when I first started I felt like I was watching an episode of Downton Abbey.) Once WWI begins to require more men at the front, women begin to pour into factories taking jobs that were previously unattainable. Despite the numerous works that feature this content, I felt that Winspear's voices were largely different, featuring a cast of characters that were all very positive and tenacious against such a harsh setting.

I was especially impressed with words from the author at the end of the novel. Her explanations of the Great War and her own family's struggles during this period were quite fascinating, as well as informative. As I feel that many war novels I've read have centered around WWII, there was so much that I was not aware of, and discovered with subsequent research, about this period in Europe.

I will admit that there were moments at the start of the novel where the writing really tested my patience. Initially, I believed that Winspear was a little long-winded and a little too forthcoming with commentary. I still believe that it wouldn't hurt to give the readers a bit more credit. As the novel progressed, however, I started to develop a certain amount of fondness for many of the characters and was able to move beyond other annoyances. And as much as I really enjoyed getting to know the characters that make up these novels, I'll be much more excited to see a bit more mystery in those that follow.

Interestingly enough, whilst searching for an image to attach to this little post, I stumbled upon Winspear's own Maisie Dobbs blog, and found this:

Mariana by Monica Dickens, cited as one of the author's favorites. I just happened to pick this copy up (my very first Persephone classic!) at a used store in Asheville, NC, a couple of weeks ago. Needless to say, I'll be diving into this one come January.

If you enjoy history, and a little mystery*, I really recommend this book.

*cue cheese

Holiday Reads: Thoughts?

2011-11-29T09:17:00.001-05:00

Christmas is just around the corner. Something about even typing that out fills me with just a bit of anxiety. It's not that I don't enjoy Christmas. It's more the fact that it seems to speed by and I'm always left feeling two steps behind.

Let me get to the point here... while routinely checking my inbox this morning, I found an email from a book seller encouraging me to stock up on Christmas classics.

Christmas classics? I'm lost.

I know they exist, of course, but do people, like, stock up on Christmas classics? I guess the question I want to pose to the blogging community is this: what's your opinion of holiday books? Do you love them? Do you hate them? Indifferent?

While perusing said classics on this site, I realized that I had never, as an adult, picked up a novel about Christmas. For book club last year, we chose The School of Essential Ingredients, which had nothing to do with Christmas, but was thought to provide a warm feeling with so many promised descriptions of mouth watering dishes. It was sort of related to the holiday, especially since most places you visit after the holiday point out how you should be thinking about losing all the weight you gained from all the food you've probably been eating.

I think I vaguely remember reading a very sad novel about shoes and a family death with an underlying Christian message, as a teenager, because my Nana insisted that it was just wonderful. I think I liked it, but can't, for the life of me, remember the name. I went crazy about the RIP VI Challenge, stocking up on mysteries and thrillers to celebrate Halloween and the inherent spookiness of the Fall season. But I don't think I'd ever sign up for one for Christmas.

Perhaps I just don't really get into seasonal reads; although, it's something I've never quite pondered until now. It could be that this time of year is already so busy that I can't even think of compiling a list and actually sticking to it.

Am I missing out? What are some Winter/Christmas classics that I'm overlooking? Feel free to share some titles that you love!

Reading Slump: What's Wrong With Me?

2011-11-14T09:54:00.001-05:00

I really love blogging for a number of reasons. And that's why I'm reaching out now.

I've been in a major reading slump, people. I'm talking HUGE.

It started in August, but I was managing to get my books for the reading group mostly completed, and there was so much going on that I didn't really notice. Once October rolled around I had managed to find a challenge that I was mostly certain I would finish. And I did. However, I ended up swapping one book for another because I just couldn't get through my initial commitment.

So here's a short run down of those that just didn't make it:

And Then There Were None Agatha Christie

Christie's writing was a bore fest. Ok, it's a huge thriller and people love it, but I was having a hard time keeping up with all those characters that were essentially the same person with a different history or whatever, and a mere paragraph and a half dedication that just didn't stick. I just didn't really care what happened on that island. I keep promising I'll pick it up at a later date. We'll see.

The Graveyard Book Neil Gaiman

I was SO excited, like a kid opening their first bag of Halloween candy spoils, to read this one in time for the holiday. I guess I've realized that most YA literature just doesn't rock my world. I definitely want to give this one another go next year because it could have been that it was really fun and I was too busy enjoying my adventures touring the US and didn't have the energy to also keep my nose stuck in a book.

O Pioneers! Willa Cather

There's something about this time of year that makes me yearn for novels about the earth. About the individuals that settled in areas alongside the unrelenting natural world. Cather's books share insight of the history of a whole swarm of people that I felt my early academic career only briefly mentioned. The fact that I didn't finish, well, this is one of those secrets that I would never dare say in a public place where I'd be able to SEE the looks I'd get. Never! However, I know this is one novel that I'll definitely finish. How could I not?

The books that I just want to be over already:

Geek Love Katherine Dunn

This is a book club pick for November and I honestly couldn't think of something further from what I'd like to be reading at this time. Dysfunctional family? Check. Grotesque descriptions that prevent reading while taking lunch? Check. It's not that I think it's the worst book ever, but it certainly won't be on a top anything list. It's mostly long winded and leaves me with an icky feeling that makes me also refrain from picking it up before I sleep. I really really really have to finish but I just have no idea how I'm going to do that yet.

Swamplandia! Karen Russell

This one started out such a winner. I thought it fun and witty and all those things that made me want to pack it up when I'm going out of town for a weekend. However, I've made it to page 100 and am ready for it to just be over. I feel like it's moving through the setup but just continues to set up. Things are happening but the novel isn't moving. This lack of progression is killing me!

Don't even get me started on the pathetic state of my Currently Reading section on Goodreads. How many have been started and left behind? I don't even want to share.

So what gives? Have I become a snob of a reader? Am I too impatient? What do you do when you hit this wall?

Snacks from Scratch - Homemade Cheez-Its

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

This blog kind of turned into all the things that take up my free time. Hey, you guys must reap the benefits sometimes. I hope, anyway.

A week ago, J and I went on a little Midwest adventure to visit family and take a mini-vacation before returning to the routine. We drove from Atlanta to Illinois and then back again in the of span 5 days. We stopped in Chicago (my first visit!) and Louisville before the grand finale: Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. It was fantastic. J + the road + singalongs + open fields + new destinations. What's not to love? To make the trip a little better (and to save a little $$) I decided to pack up some goodies, made in our very own kitchen, to satiate J's need for delicious snacks while driving 11 hours. Eek! (This especially works if you're trying to clean out the fridge or cupboard before taking off for a bit.)

I'd love to call this one my own. Sadly, I'm relegated to saying that I can bake them fantastically, but certainly didn't think this one up. If you don't follow The Cozy Kitchen, please take a moment after reading to take a peek. You will thank me.

Homemade Black Pepper Cheez-Its

Way easy. And SO much better than that big red box you pick up at the grocery store. If you love to bake, you have to try them. I give you my word.

Enjoy!

A Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

2011-11-07T11:07:00.002-05:00

So I've decided that I should finally get around to posting my thoughts on one of the most discussed books of the year... yeah, you know the one. So I read The Night Circus. I liked The Night Circus. I suggest trying to obtain a copy if it crosses your path.

However, I do not suggest selling your first born to get it. Nor do I suggest selling a kidney. Or "forgetting" your brother's Christmas gift at home if the holiday spending is creeping up (you know, if you can't decide which purchase is more important.) I would never do that. Ever.

It's a good read, but not quite as spectacularly fantastic and untouchable and amazing and all the other jazz I was seeing on every blog I stumbled upon.

Ok, you might have loved it. And that's great! I just found it a little lacking without being completely uninteresting.

First, I'll start with the real beauty of the work:

Atmosphere. Hands down, Morgenstern knows how to build a dream world. Sure, the descriptions are a little longwinded at times and almost too whimsical for my taste, but this is a world where magic lives and breaths and I could stomach it for that alone.

This was the selection for the month of October for my book club. We really wanted something that included a little supernatural, in addition to something that was just going to be a great Fall read. I love the way that Morgenstern describes the crisp air and the falling autumn leaves. I wanted to run around under a blue sky, all the while anticipating the pop from black and white tents in the distance. I also enjoyed the attention she showed the costume of each of the characters. What can I say? I'm a dress junky.

The sad part(s):

I really wanted to know the characters on a deeper level. I felt like so much energy went into describing each tent, and each sky that surrounded these magical events, that it left little for the people that I needed to help me develop an emotional attachment. I felt Marco dry and unlovable. What exactly was Celia seeing here? Ok, I digress. The characters fell flat for me.

Additionally, several book club members pointed out that major themes in the history of storytelling were used to carry this story to the finish line. Time, good vs. evil and so forth. Instead of really focusing on one and developing further, Morgenstern threw each into the pot and left unsupervised.

Moving toward completion, I was left unfulfilled as the climax seemed to move at such a pace and without much clarity that I was actually questioning on whether or not it was actually over. What a bummer.

All and all, I enjoyed my time spent with this one. Not my strongest recommendation of the year, but entertaining, nonetheless.

Design*Sponge Book Signing - Atlanta

2011-11-04T11:34:00.000-04:00

So this is where you see me gush... no, really, GUSH. Last night I attended Grace Bonney's Design*Sponge event at West Elm in Atlanta. Not only did I go to my first book signing party, I also participated in a craft class that preluded the party.

Ok, so my skills will never match some of those crafty ladies, and surely never the design queen herself, but I had so much fun chugging along with other happy crafters.

If you follow Design*Sponge as closely as I do, I was patiently awaiting an Atlanta event announcement for quite some time. Limited seating- hands on session instructed by Grace Bonney- signed copy of the new book- party to preclude with a photobooth and yummy goodness!? SIGN ME UP! I managed to snag a spot along with 24 other lucky individuals to participate in the craft session pre-book fest.

Here are some photos of the event:

Shiny new copy of Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney.

The craft tables. Project: Freezer Paper Monogrammed Handkerchiefs. Lesson learned: Cutting small objects with an exact-o knife is not necessarily a strong point for me.

Does this make me a creep-o?! No shame, people! It was my first signing!

Even the banners are full of fun. My iPhone picture taking performance... not so much.

This is the one I'm most sorry about. They had mini grown-up, handmade poptarts from a local bakery with fresh fruit. Delicious does not even touch this stuff.

The sweet photobooth back drop. I went alone so didn't feel the need to get my mug snapped. Ok, this note was not included to induce sympathy. No tears, people! I had a blast!

All and all, it was fabulous. And despite her strenuous tour, Grace managed to keep the energy up and help all of us out that just didn't seem to get it. Did I mention that she's also like the cutest little lady ever?! I'm happy to see her succeed and can't wait to dive into my book for some inspiration.

If you have a chance, take a peek... and then buy the thing, duh.

Sweet Victory: RIP VI Challenge

2011-11-02T22:29:00.004-04:00

I can't believe October has come and gone. I felt as if I just posted about my excitement to participate in what was to be the most thrilling challenge of the year. November, already? No way. I think I'm also a little late to the completion party. I actually finished ahead of schedule but failed to get a neat little package together before my travels through America's heartland. Here's a recap of my RIP VI Challenge picks:

My original reading list:

1- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

2- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

3- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

4- The Likeness by Tana French

Meaning: Read four books, any length, that you feel fit (my very broad definitions) of R.I.P. literature.

That's me!

My actual reading list:

1- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

2- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

3- The Likeness by Tana French

4- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Aside from the fact that I just didn't dig Christie's simplistic language, I found And Then There Were None such a borefest that I decided against trying to finish it for the challenge. I knew that The Night Circus contained elements of supernatural activity and believed it to be a perfect alternative. (I'll be posting this review in the next couple of days.)

Absolutely loved The Woman in White

Was chilled and thrilled by The Likeness

Laughed and speculated throughout The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Dreamed something spectacular because of The Night Circus

I am so glad I had the opportunity to participate in such a fantastic challenge. Unable to celebrate Halloween this year, it made up for all the creepiness I was sure to miss. I can't wait to join in again next year following up on some of the reads I've learned of through the challenge experience.

Note: I plan to finish at least ONE Agatha Christie novel in my lifetime. Perhaps I put it down a moment too soon.

A Photo Post: Fall & Winter Wants

2011-10-24T10:11:00.003-04:00

It's officially Fall! And from what I've gathered people LOVE this season. While Summer begins to fade away, people start dreaming about pie and pumpkin decorating and apple picking and bright bursts of foliage against blue sky and crisp, cool air and Autumn brews and moments spent around the dinner table laughing with loved ones. Ok, so you get it, Fall is awesome. Fall is not only my most favorite time of year to plan gatherings, it's also my favorite time to shop... or dream of shopping, anyway. And because my birthday just happens to be in November, I thought I'd post a fun little collage of all the kick ass Fall/ Winter finds I've come across in the last couple of weeks. (Plus, you never know who might be looking!)

P.S. I like to share my finds on Pinterest. You should join me there.

See something you like? Let me know and I'll grab the link!

A Review: The Likeness by Tana French

2011-10-14T10:37:00.002-04:00

Moving towards the finish line on the RIP VI Challenge, I picked up Tana French's The Likeness. Having read the first and the third of the Dublin Murder Squad series, I had this one sitting on my shelf for quite some time and thought it was the perfect novel to help me works towards completion.

The premise: Cassandra Maddox, a leading player in the first novel, In the Woods, has decided to dive, head first, into the world of the undercover agent. Taking the place of a murdered victim, who she almost identically resembles, Cassie must take residence in a brilliant Irish country house, with the deceased's closest friends. Cassie must maintain her role, in order to track down her killer, without forming attachments, despite the allure of the fellowship the four offer. True to the genre, expect characters to crawl out of the wood work, and twists and turns that complicate matters to the extreme.

The novel, was, for the most part, completely unrealistic. When you begin, you'll certainly question whether or not someone, who, in every sense of the word creepy, looks just like you, could fool your closest friends or family. I'd like to believe that I have certain quirks that no one could ever recreate. However, for the purpose of the story, I was able to suspend disbelief and join the party.

There's something about French's language that is almost indescribable for me. It's exciting and draws my attention. It's well crafted and funny. I usually don't want to put it down but almost always end up doing so just so I don't finish too soon. The characters are highly excitable, infectious even, despite their obnoxious commentary and mostly disagreeable attitudes. Furthermore, she's able to create unique voices that clearly define each character, making the story much more engaging. She spends her time delicately balancing between setting up the landscape, the characters and the action, leading to an ultimately enjoyable, thrilling read.

It may not be as solid as some readers prefer, but I found it highly entertaining and quite witty. I found that this particular title had more closure than the first or third novels in the series, which may persuade readers to pick this up instead. While you don't have to read them in order, I find that it's probably good advice.

3 of 4 RIP VI Challenge Reads

(Although, I think I might have just added two more considering I'm doing so well so far!) Stay tuned for my review of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, which I'll be finishing up in the very near future.)

The Illustrated Book: A New Love

2011-10-05T11:38:00.001-04:00

If you follow my blog, you know that I recently ventured to Portland, Oregon and stopped at the legendary Powell's Bookstore. I know that I failed to post my finds-shame- but it's a work in process. This post has a little to do with what I did find and the illustrated goodness I found browsing DesignSponge today. So here's the thing: I'm kind of in love with the informative, illustrated book. Officially.

Now let me clarify, I'm not so much of a graphic novel fan. It's not that I think there's anything wrong with the graphic novel, it's just that they've never been very appealing to me. Ok, so what's the difference here? I think I love the illustrated novel a little more because it adds clarity to the instructions it provides. I'm certainly a visual learner, so it's no wonder I'm so fond. I also want to point out that I really admire the creative minds that produce these beautiful pages, and the hard work that goes into providing such great information. It's a nice to look at and informative- just like I like my screen entertainment, so maybe there's a pattern there.

Love at first sight: I grabbed this one on my way to the checkout on that fantastic visit to Powell's.

It's cute and easy to carry around and provides a wealth of information on consuming less by crafting goods that meet your cleaning, beauty and gardening needs. It was absolutely perfect as I was searching for something that would enhance my growing ability to create my own products from the things around my house. It's great because the instructions are very clear and the illustrations add a special little touch.

*These images were snagged from buyolympia.com where you can purchase the book.

Back to the browsing TODAY... I love DesignSponge. It's a great place to get nifty ideas to transform your abode, to see what other creative minds are doing and to celebrate the love of design. It was like finding gold - this book. I love the growing interest in farming, the local initiative of buying goods from those around you and those that work to learn about the things they consume and they way they're made. I fell in love with this book straightaway and can't wait to get a copy of my own.

* You can find the details here.

What are your thoughts? What subject would you like to see in full-on illustrated glory?

A Review: The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

2011-09-27T15:42:00.003-04:00

So here it is. Yes, I finally finished (and lived to tell about) the tome that had interested me for so long.

I picked it up for the RIP VI Challenge because it was supposedly bursting with surprises, and mysterious individuals appearing in white, and things that made me say, "holy shit, did that really just happen?!"

Ok, so while I will admit that many events were somewhat predictable and several characters made me want to throw the book across the room in you've-got-to-be-kidding-me frustration, I really enjoyed this novel. Upon further discussion of my thoughts about the novel, I decided I'd up the 3 stars I gave it on GoodReads, and throw in a 4.

Without an English degree to allow me to provide you with complex literary terminology to back my opinion up, I'm just going to point out a couple of reasons why I really enjoyed this long-but-completely-worth-the-time read. This is by no means a summary of the events that take place in this book--to do so would ruin the surprises (if you're actually surprised) and devalue the mystery that encompasses this legendary novel.

Character development.
Laura Fairlie and Sir Percival Glyde (two of our main players) may be mere shells of what you would typically expect, especially when the story revolves around the two, Collins definitely delivers with this large cast. (It's actually necessary in order to allow the story to progress.) While Laura, by all modern standards, needs to learn to make a decision on her own, the events that unfold would have been largely delayed, if not prevented altogether, if she just learned to open that little mouth of hers. Sir Glyde- yeah, that guy is a joke. So let me get to my point... Count Fosco and Marian Holcombe dazzled me. Not to mention Old Mr. Fairlie, who also gave me a little chuckle every now and then.

Count Fosco:
Count Fosco roars! The narrator doesn't spare us any of the details of this overly large man's obsession with small animals and his ability to captivate his audience no matter how transparent his motives may be. He reminds me of jolly Old Saint Nick, you know, eating ALL the cookies and leaving a bombastic thank you note, when all you really wanted was that duvet from Anthropolgie. This enigmatic man was a selling point in the narrative and made things much more interesting.

Marian Holcombe:
Marian is the epitome of a woman who knows her stuff. She's intelligent, she's caring and she knows that she isn't just a woman. No, she speaks on behalf of Laura, and even though she falls back into the ranks of the female at this time period, the lady loses her cool and manages to make the men realize that they need to start respecting or shit will really hit the fan. It's important to note that Collins was using Marion as a way to voice his difference of opinion of the status of the female in society at this time.

Old Mr. Fairlie:
Wow. This hypochondriac whiner made me laugh more than I thought I could stand. He may care little for his own niece's life, but the following passage is just a little taste of what you get with this guy (and it's just too much):

Cool. Here was a matrimonial hailstorm pouting in the South of England; and I was invited, by a man with fever in every fold of his coat, to come out from the North of England, and take my share of the pelting. I tried to put the point forcibly, just as I have put it here. The count deliberately lowered one of his horrid fingers; kept the other up; and went-- rode over me, as it were, without even the common coachmanlike attention of the crying "Hi!' before he knocked me down.

Imagery.
Sure, some people dread plowing through the details of Victorian life in a place as drab as Blackwater Park (yes, Blackwater Park, the name just screams sunshine); however, I was in the novel, living as an invisible cast member in this outrageous ensemble.
The inner dialogue of Hartwright allows me to feel the desire he's suddenly developed for Laura, almost as strongly as the day I first kissed my own love.

This novel was more than enjoyable. Aside from the fact that I've been spoiled by cheap nighttime crime shows and other thriller novels, I recognize that this work was definitely something new to hit the scene when it was initially published. I appreciate the writer's patience and diligence in providing a complex storyline with a large cast of characters that didn't lose focus-- a novel that remained a serious literary work 'till the very end.

Challenge totals: Book 2 of 4.

RIP VI Challenge - Count Me In

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

I'm back in the game. I found this challenge via Brenna at Literary Musings. Thanks, Brenna! As I was just starting a little mystery the day I happened to find it I felt I had to participate. Because Atlanta has suddenly grown cool, and the clouds have decided to creep in, I'm feeling Fall already. Oh the anticipation... I had no problem choosing four titles to fulfill this pledge.

1- The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

I actually just finished this fun little mystery. Nice way to kick things off... now to the darker bits.

2- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

I've never read an Agatha Christie novel; can you believe it?!?!

3- The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins

My most anticipated novel in the challenge. I've been wanting to read this since I finished The Thirteenth Tale but just couldn't find the time. No excuses!

4- The Likeness by Tana French

I've read the other two novels in the series... yes, I read the third novel before the first and have yet to read the second! Shame on me. But you can actually read these in any order without screwing with the story.

*5- Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

I might just try for five if I'm feeling like an overachiever. Knowing me, I'll have loads to do before this deadline arrives and will have only just barely finished the list above, but I'm going to add this title just in case. I've been eyeing this series for ages and finally picked up a used copy of the first book when I visited Powell's on vacation.

Challenge lasts from September 1st to October 31st

Who's excited with me?!

A Vacation in 21 Photos - Washington and Oregon

2011-09-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've been MIA for quite sometime. It's partially due to the fact that I had to move (ugh), it's summertime, I work too much... blah blah blah. It's also due to the fact that every spare moment I managed to find, I focused on devising my trip out to the Pacific Northwest with my honey. Because it was my first time visiting this side of the United States I wanted to make the most of it. And we did. Best. Vacation. Ever.

Just a note: We managed to drive over a 1,000 miles in 7 days. We saw a lot.

Here's 7 days in 21 photos. Hope you enjoy!

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Want a list of great places to feast in Portland? Want to hike in Washington? Let me know and I'll send you over a list of places we absolutely adored.

Hope you enjoy!

Now go out and plan an adventure of your own!

A Photo Post: Fun Birthday Cupcakes

2011-08-12T16:45:00.000-04:00

It's been a busy Summer. Sure, there's been stress, a lot of rain, and sad departures... but there's also been loads of fun activities, short trips out of town, and the excitement of decorating a super cute, new apartment.

So here's a little photo post to give you an idea of what this Summer's been like for me. I attended a birthday cookout for one of my lady friends a couple of weeks ago, and, of course, promised cupcakes. She specifically requested a coconut-lemon combination, which I was more than happy to prepare. However, I wanted them to REALLY stand out and be a bit more exciting since it was a BIRTHDAY bash. With a little inspiration from some fab rainbow cakes I found via Pinterest, I decided to use a little food coloring and create cake and icing colors that would pop.

Enjoy...

How's the season treating you?

Summertime Pie With Blueberries, Raspberries and Blackberries

2011-07-15T08:00:00.006-04:00

My friend Mandy from Multiple Factors invited me to a little get together to celebrate the 4th of July by watching fireworks and meeting new people. And so, I decided to bake a pie. With a little (huge) nudge from the Whole Foods website, I bought a load of fresh berries and got to work. Needless to say, the pie was a success! Pardon my photos: these iPhone shots were the best I could do at the time.

Recipe via Whole Foods

What you need:

2 1/2 cups flour, divided
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
Salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, chilled and cut into small cubes

(I did about a cup and a half for all berries, excluding blueberries which were about 2 cups)

3 cups (about 3/4 pound) blackberries
3 cups (about 3/4 pound) raspberries
2 cups (about 1/2 pound) blueberries
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon raw or turbinado sugar, divided (I used light brown sugar)
Zest of 1 large orange or lemon
1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream

How to do it:

Put 2 cups of the flour, granulated sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse briefly to combine. (I use a pastry blender, so don't fret if you don't have a food processor!) Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. (Alternatively, cut butter in by hand with two table knives.) Add 1/4 cup ice-cold water and pulse, or mix by hand with a fork, just until dough begins to come together. Form dough into two 4-inch discs, cover and chill until firm, about 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Put blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, 1/2 cup of the raw sugar, remaining 1/2 cup flour, zest and a pinch of salt in a large bowl and mash together gently until well combined and juicy but still chunky; set aside. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of dough into a 10-inch circle and gently transfer to an 8-inch pie pan. Transfer berry mixture to pie pan; set aside.

Roll out remaining dough as you did the first piece and transfer to pie pan, gently draping it over the berry filling. Firmly press the edges together then trim away excess dough. Pinch or crimp edges as desired and cut 3 slits in the top of the pie to allow steam to escape. Brush crust with milk and sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon raw sugar then bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 1 hour. Set aside to let cool completely then serve.

A Review: David Levithan's The Lover's Dictionary

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

I happened upon this gem when I visited the library this past weekend. Actually, I was quite surprised to see it sitting on the shelf of the "new fiction" section as I believed it to be quite popular and a rather new release. Lucky me. In a little over an hour after I picked it up, I was finished and ready to start again.

healthy, adj.

There are times when I'm alone that I think, This is it. This is actually the natural state. All I need are my thoughts and a small act of creation and my ability to go or do whatever I want to go or do. I am myself, and that is the point. Pairing is a social construction. It is by no means necessary for everyone to do it. Maybe I'm better like this. Maybe I could live my life in my own world, and then simply leave it when it's time to go.

Levithan brings the reader a short tale of one couple's relationship through a single narrator. Unlike other tales of romance, the entire story is told in the form of a dictionary, with a series of short paragraphs that reflect a designated word. Moving through the English Alphabet, Levithan masters the struggles of a relationship as it grows and transforms, moves past the initial period of intense passion and the unfamiliar. He eloquently captures those awkward first moments, and all those in between that define a relationship between two individuals. While this tale was somewhat heartbreaking, I found myself taken with the attentive nature of the narrator while he seemed to be able to spout, quite endlessly, little idiosyncrasies of his nameless partner.

ineffable, adj.

These words will ultimately end up being the barest of reflections, devoid of the sensations words cannot convey. Trying to write about love is ultimately like trying to have a dictionary represent life. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough.

For those who enjoy exploring the English language, and those who think they would enjoy a new approach to an old subject, I highly recommend The Lover's Dictionary. I might add that I absolutely adore the cover art on this one.

Favorite Reads of 2011: A Mid-Year Review

2011-06-29T13:43:00.001-04:00

When I was a child I was told that as I grew older the years would begin to flash before my eyes, rushing past so quickly that I'd barely have time to grasp the subtleties that presented themselves before me. While I agree that time seems to be more hurried, I also have days that seem to (so wonderfully) stretch before me. Some of these days I'm busy getting in all the things I can't do when working, or spending time with my loved ones, but sometimes I get the chance to sit and read for as long as I wish.

Because I featured my favorite reads at the close of the following year, I felt it only right to provide a little mid-year review of six titles that I just couldn't put down. I'm also excited to share that I've already read three books more than I did in all of 2010. Goals!

1. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Mysteries and secrets. Secrets and mysteries. I'm kidding, but this novel sucked me in. I distinctly remember my boyfriend having to pull me out of the groove of the couch I found myself in after not getting off the thing for hours. In the end, you still have questions. It was dark and fascinating and an awesome thriller. All hands for The Thirteenth Tale.

2. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

I don't know if any of you remember, but a while back, Brenna from Literary Musings and I decided to host a little read-along. The book was a little slow in the beginning, but I soon found that I didn't want to stop reading once I began the second half. We got some great participation and were able to share our opinions and questions, which made the read even more enjoyable. Edith Wharton is seriously amazing.

3. Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran

Another book that I couldn't peel my hands from and one that I mention as a "must read" to any bookworm I encounter. I have this thing for historical fiction (as you probably already know) and thought this was perfectly entertaining and informative. The cover art not so much.

4. The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen

I know, I know. I haven't managed to post a review on this one yet. But it has definitely been one of the best reads of 2011. The storyline was not quite what I expected and made the novel that much better. Maybe Milly and Twiss are described as old women who nurse birds back to health, but this title holds so much more. I found Rasmussen's language authentic and engaging. I strongly encourage giving this title a chance!

5. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent

I finished this novel last night. And loved it. I refused to give it up upon finding that the beginning was a little slow. In the end, I am so glad I stuck with it because not only did I enjoy the historical element of the storyline, but I also really enjoyed the raw expression of emotions and the landscape Kent so delicately describes. I didn't want this one to end.

6. Shakespeare by Bill Bryson

Ok, so maybe I read this one during haze that follows the extraction of my wisdom teeth, but somehow I was able to remain attentive enough to finish the whole thing in a sitting. Bryson is increasingly becoming a go-to when it comes to learning while laughing.

So close to making the list: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath & The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows

Summer is a Good Time for Pie

2011-06-24T12:11:00.000-04:00

Peach Pie in Photos

I'm from Georgia. I buy Georgia peaches from a local grower in large bags. They are juicy and sweet and delicious.

I made this one for my family.

I snagged the crust from one my favorite sites: simply recipes

Filling from: food & wine

I changed it up a bit and added a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a half teaspoon of cinnamon.

Enjoy your weekend!

A Review: 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan

2011-06-23T14:58:00.004-04:00

31 Bond Street was a book club pick for the month of June. Because I was unable to attend the first half of the meeting, I didn't get to join in on the short discussion the ladies had about this title. Note: short discussion. Ok, the ladies I know usually have much to say about most of the books we get our hands on. You get me?!

The story: Emma Cunningham, a widow with two young daughters, is accused of the murder of Dr. Harvey Burdell at his residence on 31 Bond Street, where she acts as a lady-of-the-house/housekeeper. When a secret marriage certificate is discovered, Emma barely stands a chance against the rumors of her greedy motives. Backed by a defiant lawyer seeking justice for the innocent, Emma might be given a second chance. Horan weaves a detailed story of the trial that overtook New York. Based on the actual murder of Dr. Harvey Burdell, the reader witnesses the growing city-- thick with crime, new money and life-altering gossip.

Ok, so what I thought about the book. Well, let's see... I don't think I ever had that urge to go and pick it up. I saw it on the coffee table. But near that same coffee table, I saw my computer, and the computer won every time. It's amazing I finished it at all. Actually, I'm being harsh. The story was entertaining. I found the historical elements interesting-- the descriptions of New York City at this time, and the inequality that was rampant, and yet, so common. However, after the trial, the story spun out of control, exhibiting the writer's loose grasp on the characters, and the story, itself. I felt that it was thrown together and lacked believability. The characters were shallow and never encouraged any sort of attachment to their persons or predicaments.

I don't think I could actually recommend this title, but I don't think I could ever write a novel off completely (maybe). It works for some, but it just didn't work for me. Better luck next time!

OH, but I did pick up this sweet new road bike last night.

Excessive. Indulgent. Completely Justified.

2011-06-16T15:34:00.005-04:00

I logged in today to discuss the recent realization that I have been buying books at an alarming rate. Whatever happened to saving? Whatever happened to cutting down/not consuming/ striving towards something that resembles minimalism? Scratch all that. Whatever happened to READING? I feel like the days of being able to sit for hours and read may not grace my existence anytime in the near future.

Sigh...

So, let me share the latest acquisitions, while also remembering that these will be my last thrifty finds for some time.

First, my favorite neighborhood used book store had a 10 year anniversary sale, with books at 40% off the already reduced price. How could I not do it? I was supporting the community and getting great books.

Then I went to DC, remember I made a post about it, and picked up 2 great titles (one was free). Ok, so a whole vacation and I only managed to buy ONE book... we're getting somewhere, right?

Ok, so at this point, I have 6 new books to add to the already enormous TBR pile. I don't really need anything else; however, a little day trip to Chattanooga, TN was planned with the ladies from the book group. I should mention that, beforehand, Jenna from Literature and a Lens assured us we'd find one of the largest and best used stores she had ever visited. She was so right.

The books I managed to snag. The books J managed to point out had similar themes - which has led to much teasing on the nature of my interest in family secrets and memory (both words uttered in that ridiculous mysterious movie trailer voice). Whatever.

Total books in a month's worth of adventures:

Did I mention that we're also moving soon? Yeah, we are. This is what the spare room looks like at this moment in time:

You can also add about six more boxes to these four, plus all the books on this side of the shelf and the other. I think piles are starting to spread throughout the apartment, as well.

Needless to say, this is the last post of thrifty finds this little bookworm will be sharing for quite sometime.

Read some of these titles? Tell me what you think I should I move to the top of my TBR list!

Lazy Friday: A Photo Post

2011-06-10T10:02:00.002-04:00

Sometimes life doesn't permit blogging. Or reading, cleaning, sleeping, RELAXING. However, these are the moments that you'll most likely remember forever. Today, J left for an extended family visit, leaving me with a whole big, empty house and loads of time! What's in the cards? Rosemary biscuits, peach pie, scrubbing, washing, running, socializing and watering new greenery. Plus, I get to visit my niece; yes, my niece, for a little newborn photo op. Above is a photo of a step on my grandmother's walkway: my brother's hand and carvings he made when he was just a child. Can you believe he's now a father?!

What's in store for you? A photo post of my book finds in Chattanooga (just thrilling). Some great recipes (if all goes to plan). Plus, I think it's really time I sat down and finally wrote that review of The Bird Sisters, a novel I absolutely loved. Really-- go out and find a copy this weekend.

What are your plans for the weekend? Ever wonder if certain seasons are determined to wreak havoc on your to-be-read list? This sprummer (get it? spring, summer... no? Ok) has left me without a moment to sit in the comfort of a cozy chair while lost in a story.

Adventures in DC

2011-06-06T11:14:00.003-04:00

Last weekend I visited a close friend who's currently living in Washington DC. I could use this blog to tell you about how much fun we had. I could use this to tell you about the bike trail next to the runway at Reagan Airport, where we laid in the grass watching planes landing just above our heads. I could tell you about the markets where we picked up fresh greens and sweet peaches to make dinner salads. I could tell you that riding a bike through the deserted streets of Capitol Hill, with a soft breeze breathing against my skin, made me want to live in that moment forever.

But this is a book (ish) blog and it wouldn't make sense if I didn't mention my book love on the road. So, here goes...

Note: This trip was less focused on procuring books. I've recently realized (well, after the trip to Chattanooga I took yesterday, where I purchased numerous new books- post on that to come- I focused more on being free and light and only coming back with things I had taken along) that my TBR pile is getting out of hand.

Capitol Hill Books. I blogged about it when I took my trip to DC last year (my blog's almost a year old)! Although it's not the greatest used store in the world, I had to go back for the experience. (Note: I have no idea who these people are.)

The book store's actually a little overpriced for used books, but it's packed with so many great titles that it's at least worth a stop. For those wary of small spaces, tiny corridors and narrow staircases, steer clear of this gem.

Because I was more focused on getting on the bike and riding around, I only purchased one book: Nick Hornby's The Polysyllabic Spree, which Brenna at Literary Musings recently reviewed.

We also made a stop at the Library of Congress, where I had the opportunity view Thomas Jefferson's library. So sad, but I can't provide photos because camera use wasn't allowed. Boo! You get the picture.

And... I picked up a free copy of Julia Alverez's How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accent from a little book box in front of a house while we were walking home from dinner. Definitely awesome!

The trip was just what I needed.

Fast forward a week & even better news! I am a first time aunt. My niece was welcomed into the world on Saturday. I've never been more happy in my life. My brother and sister-in-law are going to be beautiful, loving parents. Congrats!

A Review: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

2011-06-02T12:08:00.001-04:00

Between Shades of Gray is a newly released, young adult title that deals with Stalin's "purification" of the Baltic region in the 1950s. Sepetys uses the narrative of 15-year-old Lina, to uncover the crimes against the people of this region that went largely hidden from the world for nearly 50 years.

When Lina's family is taken from their home one night, they find themselves boarding train cars with other families without an explanation as to where they will end up. Fretting over her father's life, as she finds that he's been taken to a prison camp many miles away, Lina, her mother, brother and the bonds she forms with those en route to the work camps, which become her home for 10 years, experience a myriad of intense emotions.

Because Stalin's death camps were so much like Hitler's concentration camps, I feel that the narrative closely resembles other war tales from the unfortunate individuals that were condemned to such horrid conditions. Sepetys acknowledges that she used the tale to exhibit the voices of the individuals who lost their lives and those that lost loved ones during Stalin's Reign of Terror, which went pushed under the radar for many years under the USSR.

Lina, a gifted artist, idolizes Munch, an artist known for portraying the beauty in tragedy, while simultaneously exhibiting what the artist sees deep within an object. This representation symbolizes Lina's courage to draw what she sees, even at the risk of murder, and to voice the realities of this existence. She draws in order to document the pleasures that assuage this lifestyle, and to remind her of the blessings of her previous life.

The novel seems to be able to accurately describe the transformation of a young girl, as Lina begins to piece together the events that led up to her family's extraction. Her father's political affiliations and the lives he's saved, which ultimately condemn his own, all come sharply into focus, prompting Lina to understand the world that was slowly changing around her on a much deeper level. Lina speaks as a child coming to grips with suddenly being forced into an early maturity, and notes the changes she witnesses in her young brother. Their mother's devoted love for their father and the pains of separation, the brutality of war and the sexual crimes committed against women are all explored in a manner that, thankfully, lacks the theatrics of a Hollywood feature, allowing the reality of such conditions to be identified and discussed in a manner that prompts a better understanding of these events.

I really enjoyed this read, despite the ever saddening content. I felt that the simplicity of the author's language and the raw exposure of the conditions of living in such conflict is a very straightforward way to introduce readers, young and old, to the subject.

A Review: Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals

2011-05-26T12:31:00.001-04:00

Last night I met with my book club to discuss the second half of Jonathan Safran Foer's nonfiction title, Eating Animals. As a big fan of Foer's fiction, and a once-upon-a-time vegetarian, I was intensely interested in what he'd have to say about the subject, and what his nonfiction might look like.

The verdict:

While Foer is undoubtedly a talented writer, I feel that his fictional titles are far superior to this guilt-driven, blood fest.

The title, as you might have guessed by now, is one man's journey to determine what it is to eat animals from the industry that Americans (and other parts of the world) rely on for food sources. After the birth of his first child, Foer begins to examine where the meat he ingests actually comes from. Naturally we find (because the title wouldn't have amounted to much if the sites he visited were lush pastures with fresh air and open spaces) that the childhood fantasy of a gentle farmer is just that-- a fantasy. The factory farms that Foer infiltrates (and, yes, he does attempt a mission impossible like adventure with an animal activist) are grime ridden, torture chambers. Readers discover that animals have standing room that is roughly the size of a standard sheet of paper, inhabiting large sheds devoid of natural light; add the fact that they're genetically modified so that they grow additional parts on their bodies and are pumped full of antibiotics to prevent illness that occurs anyway. The scenes are horrific-- gut-wrenching-- producing gasp-out-loud moments. And while it's disgusting and forces readers (most likely individuals that already sympathize with the stand against such treatment) to examine their food sources and speak up, Foer's inclusion of such horror comprises over half the book. Ok, Foer, we get it. We understood on page 30.

My problem is this: Foer explicitly states that he's not trying to force individuals into giving up their meat eating habits completely. He goes as far as admitting that a world devoid of meat eaters is completely unrealistic. However, he spends most of the book using the most disgusting examples he can provide to induce shock-- to guilt the reader into choosing an alternative lifestyle. When he actually has the chance to explore farmers/ranchers/herders that are actually ethically raising livestock for human consumption, he makes passing remarks as if to discredit the movement entirely. If a world full of meat eaters is completely unrealistic, then why not provide the readers (who at this point have almost certainly decided that their factory farm meat eating days are over) additional resources as to what they can do to make changes in their own lifestyle?

Furthermore, if Foer had been submitting this paper to a professor in college, there's no way it would have received a passing grade. Sure, he provided statistics, but he rarely provided any information to elucidate these stats, simply throwing them within a paragraph. The text was so disorganized that I had a hard time following along with some of the arguments he was trying to expound upon.

The text wasn't a complete bust, though. I enjoyed his discussion of the interpretation of language and how that plays a part in the foods that Americans typically eat. Why do Americans find eating a pig, an animal similar in behavior to that of a cat, completely normal, while dogs/cats are completely off limits?

The idea that items labeled "fresh" and "free range" are hardly what you probably think they are. It's made me realize that I need to make big changes to my diet. Although J and I aren't big meat eaters, we've started visiting local markets to buy local eggs and other dairy products, in addition to meat. It feels good to support a local effort that's working hard to be sustainable. The numerous causes that the text supported require further research on my part, and I'm really looking forward to what I'll learn and work into my lifestyle. I felt that it really encouraged a great discussion. Furthermore, this title offered Ang a platform to discuss the issues that she felt were important in her own life with a group where this type of sharing should flourish.

A Review: Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden

2011-05-24T11:06:00.001-04:00

Before I purchased the novel I had a vague idea of what I was getting myself into. I knew that the story had a secret garden, hence the name, and, I'll admit, snagged me from the get-go. Aside from the mysterious garden, I was pretty much in the dark. While I enjoyed this because it was much lighter (well, sort of) and offered me some escape, there was much lacking.

The novel traces the lives of 4 (or 5 or maybe 6) women: Rose Mountrachet, the daughter of Linus and Adeline Mountrachet; Eliza Makepeace, the cousin of Rose, and daughter of Linus's sister, Georgiana; Nell, abandoned orphan, and grandmother to Cassandra. Okay, so there are a lot of women in this novel.

A Short Synopsis:

A four year old is found on the shore of an Australian town with nothing but a tiny suitcase to her name. Twenty years later, Nell's (later Ivory) adopted father confesses this secret, sending Nell on an expedition to find her biological family through clues found in the suitcase. After Nell's death, a note is left for her granddaughter, Cassandra, explaining that a small cottage overlooking the sea has been left for her. Cassandra, dealing with her own scarred past, makes her way to England to finally solve the mystery of Nell's birthright.

Ok. I find that it's almost impossible to include a "short" synopsis for this title. The book was over 600 pages, and, while not as detailed as something you might expect from Tolstoy, it contained enough stories to be anything but easy to explain. I find the review slightly taxing considering the amount of activity going on with each character.

Morton moves through the past and present to complete her story, using fairy tales and gothic literature to build her characters. Eliza, Rose's talented and orphaned cousin, weaves fairy tales to help soothe her ailing cousin, and to express her own desires and disappointments. While I felt that some of Morton's tales were wholly original, many were completely ripped from other well-known fairy tales.

Rose's father Linus, and Eliza's uncle, possesses an unnatural infatuation with his sister Georgiana, who has run away from the family home to follow her love and dies leaving her two children Eliza, and twin, Sammy, at the mercy of a greedy landlord. Once Linus manages to find Eliza, he brings her back to the Mountrachet estate in an attempt to capture her forever. This part of the novel really piqued my interest, it was slightly disturbing like the events in another of my favorites: The Thirteenth Tale; however, Morton briefly throws the lurking Linus around here and there without ever really developing his creepiness.

Upon discovery that Nell is actually the child of other parents, she literally calls off her marriage to a man she loves, and turns a cold shoulder to the family she's loved as her own. While never expressing (she doesn't ever really express much at all, honestly) that she feels betrayed by her family, she suddenly becomes almost obsessed with finding her biological family and plans to leave Australia forever to take her "true place" in England.

That is... until Nell's flighty daughter Leslie, who also makes brief appearances, leaves young Cassandra at her doorstep, altering her plans forever. Cassandra learns of her grandmother's secret after she has passed away. Between Cassandra's personal struggle and the trip she embarks on to uncover her grandmother's family history, there's more drama than a daytime television show.

The novel's key characters all struggle with loss and isolation. The entire tone of the novel is rather dark and sorrowful. The delight of finding love and the hidden garden don't hold enough weight to brighten up the story in any way. It seems that while the garden may have brought joy to Eliza and Rose, while children, it holds dreadful memories of a past that will never again be. For Rose, it becomes a place that must be closed off, a place where life flourishes with utmost ease; Eliza, a prison from which she must escape. Towards the end of the novel, Morton offers Cassandra a fresh start, and also manages to attain the answers her grandmother so desperately sought out during her lifetime.

The novel, while entertaining, was far from anything I'd call exceptional. The characters were mostly unoriginal and lacked a certain depth that I feel the reader really needed to suspend disbelief. I never found myself yearning to pick it up to uncover the next mystery; it flipped so quickly back and forth, and rapidly deployed one shocking incident after another, that I was only reading to finish because so much time had already had been invested. There were moments when the writing was quite magical, but there were far more moments where I felt it was dull and oversimplistic.

Thrifty Book Finds

2011-05-18T11:01:00.002-04:00

Where: A Cappella Books in Little Five Points, Barnes and Noble

Total Spent: $11.00

Not so thrifty book purchase (and greatly anticipated):

Where: Blue Elephant Book Shop in Decatur
(One of my new favorite independent shops in the city)

Book Break: Homemade Stress Reducers and Feel Good Treatments

2011-05-14T08:00:00.002-04:00

Hi guys! I've been occupied with all the books for my reading groups and loving it! I'm really anticipating finishing up and sharing with this appreciable community of fellow bibliophiles! As many of you know, I'm a sucker for handmade, old-fashioned goodies. I love DIY projects, and can't resist a money saving opportunity. With that being said, I realized that with the changing of the season, and the stress that I've been managing in my life, my skin was looking pretty patchy, and, downright, nasty. That's saying A LOT. So, I considered taking a trip to purchase some kind of exfoliate that would brighten my skin and leave me feeling squeaky clean. However, when I thought about spending the money, I knew I could concoct something in my own kitchen, eliminating the stress of going through all the steps to make said purchase.

One.

Lemon.

I usually keep lemons around the house for cooking and cleaning.

Citric Acid- Amazing! Cleanses. Brightens. Tightens.

Two.

Baking soda.

I always have lots of baking soda on hand for baking and cleaning.

Cleanses. Exfoliates. Great for sensitive skin.

Three.

Take approximately 2 tablespoons of baking soda and mix with tablespoon and a half of fresh lemon juice. The two should form a thin paste. Gently rub on face or body (I usually rinse my face with water first) to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. Wash off with warm water and pat dry with towel.

Skin: Bright and fresh!

For many, this lovely DIY treatment is a thing of the past, but for me it was a revelation in what I could do without having to spend lots of money on mass produced face scrubs. NOTE: Oats, honey and yogurt also work wonders and soften the face. Add some mashed bananas, and you've got one yummy mask!

Other goodies to spread some feel-good vibes: essential oils.

These are recent acquisitions to my home skin and body treatments.

Tea tree oil is a great cleansing agent and saves my skin when Atlanta gets hot and muggy. I mix a drop of this with 2 ounces of water and use it as a toner. It can be a little drying, so make sure to be careful if you're trying it out for the first time.

Lavender oil. What does this miracle oil not do? Seriously. I love lavender. I like to add a drop or two of this to a small bowl of water, or a hot wash cloth, on the night's when I'm having a hard time getting to sleep. It can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle to create a lovely bedtime bed cloth spray. Lavender oil is my absolute pick in the fragrance department. Dab a little of this on your wrists and jawline to experience a huge sense of calm... not to mention the attention you're sure to gain from your partner!

Also, yoga. I just started attending yoga classes in a quaint little studio with some friends. I'm kicking myself for not getting involved sooner. So far, I am really loving it. It's such a great workout and an incredible mood-enhancer that I'm thinking all companies should offer the classes along with benefits! If you've ever considered taking a class-- DO IT-- what's stopping you?

Have any other great DIY treatments that you'd like to share? What relaxes you?

Video Post - Jonathan Safran Foer on Eating Animals

2011-05-11T10:09:00.002-04:00

Tonight I'll be discussing the first half of Jonathan Safran Foer's nonfiction title, Eating Animals, with my book club. I've provided this video in order to give those of you insight as to what Foer was trying to accomplish. I'm really anticipating the discussion this title is sure to engender this evening. While I feel like the novel offers much food for thought (dismiss the pun), I'm a little dissatisfied with the organization of the content and the disjointed nature of the statistical data and the arguments presented. I am enjoying it and can't wait to finish so that I can process my thoughts and share with everyone!

For My Family With Love

2011-05-08T11:42:00.001-04:00

The ladies in my family have always been the epitome of warmth and affection for me. I was lucky enough to have the coolest aunt in the world, who frequently took me into the big city to take the town, when I was just a wee little gal. She gave me my first manicure, carted me to aerobics classes and has always lent me an ear when I was going through tough times. Two grandmothers, with two very different personalities, that instilled life long appreciation for the beauty of a wild garden, a handmade card and words of praise that are sure to brighten anyone's day. Then, there's my own mother, a beautiful woman with a heart of gold, the softest skin and a laugh that encouraged my brothers and I to do anything that would elicit it's sound.

Today we go above and beyond to recognize the special relationships we've been so lucky to have with all the wonderful females that take place in our hearts.

I hope everyone is able to spend time with the special ladies in your lives!

My Friday Reads: A Blog Post

2011-05-06T08:00:00.004-04:00

It's been a crazy couple of weeks where books have taken the back-burner (sad times, indeed). I got a new job, which is challenging, and requires that I stay glued to a screen, logged in to a couple big time social media sites. So, with that being said, adjusting to a new position and the demands it's sure to require, I've had little energy to read and exercise and pack and spend time with people that I love, each and everyday. Plus, let me just be honest, I've found that I'm not ready to jump into the books I'm reading as soon as I walk into the door at night.

So, let me advertise my own walk of shame. Here goes...

BOOKS I AM CURRENTLY READING:

I. The Jungle Upton Sinclair

A Classics Challenge selection that would fulfill my Banned Book requirement, I found I had the hardest time getting into this initially. When I finally found myself invested in the characters (about 130 pages in), I felt that I cared for them so much that I couldn't bear reading anymore of the woe that characterized their sad lives. It's been over a month, and I still haven't finished. However, I'm not giving it up, just waiting till some of the anxiety of all the recent changes in my life subsides.

II. The Forgotten Garden Kate Morton

Okay, so we all know I'm a thrifty shopper. However, sometimes (and I hate to admit this) I splurge on books (meaning I pay full price). Don't hate me. There are plenty of books that I will buy full price, but when expenses are tight and you need to appease a hankering that the library can't satisfy, you go out and attempt to find it for half the price at a used store. Well, I needed something lighter, not chick lit light, but something that had a magical element and included several generations of interesting female characters. Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden fit the bill; plus, once I heard that it contained a secret garden (and I love gardens), it stuck with me for months. After no longer being able to stomach the (what I thought to be) ridiculous queue at the local library, I broke down and purchased a brand new copy at the Barnes and Noble up the street. While there are elements I find completely endearing and sweet, there's something about Morton's writing that makes me feel a little cheated. The storyline seemed entertaining: a granddaughter searches for missing pieces to the mystery her recently deceased Grandmother spent her whole life trying to uncover about her own unexplainable past. And, while I feel that the female characters are pretty great, there's just something lacking. The dialogue offers little depth that would help me relate, hindering it even less believable. At 600+ pages, I've decided that I'm going to finish (hey, I'm already over 300 pages in) but without haste - when I feel like reading, I will.

III. The Road of Bones Anne Fine

A young-adult novel I discovered after reading The Book Thief, The Road of Bones is an account of a young boy growing up in an era that closely resembles post-revolutionary days of Soviet Russia. A novel created to explore the darkest moments of revolution and war within a landscape, Fine wishes to raise awareness of the paranoia and hysteria of such periods through the perspective of a young man coming-of-age. The novel reads unlike any young adult novel I've come across, exploring the power of corruption and manipulation while evoking fear. I'm slowly making my way through this title, as well, despite the darker content, but have really enjoyed it thus far.

Book Club Picks for the Month of May:

I. Eating Animals Jonathan Safran Foer

I'll be finishing the first half of this book for my first book club meeting in over a month this coming Wednesday! I'm so excited to be seeing all of my favorite ladies again, not to mention the attendance of two new participants! Although I'm a bit nervous about reading this nonfiction title, I have little doubt that I'll glean loads of new information.

II. Click: When We Knew We Were Feminists Edited by: Courtney E. Martin and J. Courtney Sullivan

A pick for the FWHC reading club I organize, I chose this title so that we could welcome all the new participants at the center with a series of short stories from leading females throughout the world. Not only is it a great collection, but it creates the perfect opportunity to share stories about our own lives. I'm excited to get it finished and share!

Look daunting? Tell me about it. So, what are you currently reading? How do you cope with limited energy and time to read?

Things, Glorious Things- A Post of Objects

2011-05-02T14:12:00.005-04:00

With new responsibilities this bookworm has had little time to read. Yes, it's quite saddening, but I'm learning so much in my position that it's only a matter of time before I have things under control and can resume my regular reading schedule.

So, I wanted to post this to prove that I'm very much still alive, and missing my community of blogging friends. I really wanted to share some recent finds that I've purchased to celebrate the new developments in my life...

First, tea parties. Yes, I love tea parties.

What bookworm doesn't like tea? Well, I'm sure there are many, but to make this work we'll just pretend that everyone loves a good tea party as much as I do. With recent discussion of hosting a tea party for my book club ladies, I decided to begin to assemble an assorted tea set. Growing up, my grandmother frequently held tea parties for my brother and me, instilling manners, and the love of delicate porcelain beauties, such as the ones provided below. While searching on Etsy I found The Vintage Teacup, and fell in love.

Here are two that have been shipped and will soon join my collection:

Here are some other goodies for my tea/book loving friends:

via Designs by Annette

via honeystreasures

via parada creations

via painted cottages

What are you reading? I'd love to know!

A Review: Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding by Jessie Sholl

2011-04-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

I don't know what exactly prompted me to purchase this book from the book depository recently, but it sounded interesting enough and wasn't going to burn a hole in my purse. Before you ask-- No, I've never seen the popular TV show that's seemed to capitalize on the illness, so it was more about the psychological element of the condition that made me want to pick it up.

The memoir is a quick and easy read. Sholl dedicates a small portion of the title to explain her family's background, and also, that of her mother's. She detours only shortly to express her own anxieties and the resentment she holds for her mother and the disdain she's felt throughout her life. Traveling from Sholl's home in NYC, the reader is present to witness several attempts to help her mother, the trips to visit her father and the ways it effects her relationship with her husband.

The memoir seemed to served as a vehicle in which the author could finally recognize her mother's illness without trying to control the situation. Throughout the title, Sholl is frequently rehashing ways to keep her mother's home clean "for good," while simultaneously feeling shameful and overwhelmed with the task of curing her mother of her hoarding. Sholl expresses bouts of depression and anxiety after leaving her mother on visits, in addition to the routine stresses of her life as a writer, and wife. Note: Sholl and her husband are infected with scabies after one of the visits, leading to a detailed account of the ways in which they unsuccessfully try to cure themselves for an entire year.

While I did appreciate the facts that Sholl included to elucidate facets of the condition, and the research that pointed to factors that often produce hoarders, I learned little about the condition, itself. I feel that the novel was a way for Sholl to express the severity of the issue, stating that,"six million Americans" suffer from the condition, in order to offer some assurance to those who also have close relationships with individuals who are hoarders. All and all, it was informative and eye-opening. I felt that readers could identify with Sholl's attention to the human desire to be liked and understood. I would recommend this if you feel like reading something outside of your comfort zone, or to read about a condition that you might not have been aware of beforehand.

A Review: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

2011-04-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is a novel that explores the lives of two women growing up in China in the 19th century. Before reading this novel, I was largely unaware with many of the ceremonies that marked coming-of-age, marriage and death in the culture of the villages in this particular part of the world. Moreover, I was completely unaware of the actual foot-binding process that I've always heard much about. The novel was both fascinating and infuriating, but all-in-all a good read.

Snow Flower and Lily are two girls brought together by a matchmaker at the tender age of seven. Because Lily possesses qualities (foot size, birth year, etc), like Snow Flower, that predict her success, Madame Wang matches the two as Old Sames (a term that signifies a bond of friendship resembling marriage). The two document their lives through a secret women's language, nu shu, which consists of characters that hold several different meanings. A silk fan is passed between the two that documents their foot-bindings, marriages, the death of loved ones and the dissonance that drives them into the mountains with no shelter or food. The story is told as Lily reassess her long life and the relationship she had with Snow Flower. Truly heartbreaking, the novel displays the strength of the women in these villages, and the hardness of heart they were forced to develop to survive and prosper.

My thoughts: After reading the novel, I was a little dumbfounded. Let me be clear: I had never heard of a way of life in which women were so disregarded to the point of dehumanization. From the beginning, we understand that women are a curse to the household, a sad acquisition that will hopefully lead to death, before the breathing thing takes anymore resources from the family share. Women's position in society places the processes in life in context. Lily begins by describing her desire to be loved by her mother, which is never satisfied, and remains a strong theme throughout the book because she never really feels loved by anyone except Snow Flower. However, Lily, so caught up in filling her roles as an esteemed woman in a wealthy province, develops the same demeanor she so detested in her mother and ends up neglecting Snow Flower when she needs her most.

There's so much to discuss with this novel and I honestly wish I could flesh it out here better. I definitely recommend the novel for those of you that have considered the title before. I felt that the writing perfectly conveyed the memories of a women with regret looking back on so many years of her life.

Read Snow Flower and the Secret Fan? Please share your thoughts, I'd love to hear!

Book Review Backlog: The Bell Jar & Rasputin's Daughter

2011-04-13T11:25:00.003-04:00

I'd like to send a big HELLO to all the lovely book bloggers that still decide to take the time to visit my site. It's been a really crazy couple of weeks, and I've been so exhausted and crunched that I haven't had a moment to sit down and write a review that I felt would do the novels I've recently completed any justice.

Before you decide to write me off altogether, my absence can be justified, and remains somewhat bittersweet. Some recent changes in the life of this little bookworm:

I got a new job with an awesome company Downtown!
I've been training my replacement. (the big suck)
I've been visiting a loved one in the hospital. (One strong, beautiful lady and she's looking better everyday!)
I celebrated my two year anniversary with my super wonderful love, J.

So, if you've decided to cut me some slack and you're still reading, let me say that I've read Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar and Robert Alexander's Rasputin's Daughter without posting much about them. Shame.

Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar was incredible. The novel traces the progression of Esther Greenwood's insanity and subsequent breakdown. The novel begins clearly enough, following Esther's short trip in NYC after she's won a scholarship to intern at a fashion magazine. However, as soon as Esther returns to her small hometown, her life begins to spiral out of control. The reader faces an uncomfortable and disorientating narrative while learning small pieces of Esther's past, as well as, witnessing the disturbing inner dialogue she wrestles with frequently. Because the work is semi-autobiographical, it's much more heartbreaking to read.

I've heard that many people said that felt they could really identify with her frame of mind at a younger age, but didn't see much in the novel as they aged. However, the moments that Esther vocalizes her disengagement with the tedious aspects of life, and the enormous weight of indecision, I felt that I shared many of the same feelings, not to mention, a grossly similar habit of over analyzing most anything.

One of my favorite passages of the novel expresses the great burden indecision:

I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.

The Bell Jar is a must read classic work of literature, and helped me complete another of my requirements for the Classics Challenge.

Robert Alexander's Rasputin's Daughter was less than stellar. I'm actually not going to say too much. I was hankering for some historical fiction after I completed Michelle Moran's Madame Tussaud, and had purchased a used copy of RD from Goodwill some time ago. I've also been quite fascinated with Nicholas II and his charming family, which were held captive and then secretly killed at the start of the Russian Revolution. Rasputin, a healer employed by the royal family, and a Siberian peasant, was largely unpopular with the aristocracy of Russia. This novel, told from the perspective of Rasputin's eldest daughter, exhibits the days leading up to his murder and the specifics of his daily life. The novel, while entertaining and mostly interesting, was lacking in good writing. Most of the dialogue was hurried, and the narrator seemed too easily manipulated, while events that were used to create suspense did little to follow through. I felt that it did lead me to research actual figures from this period, and I was entertained. If you have it, read it; however, I wouldn't necessarily suggest purchasing a copy.

Also, thanks to everyone that comes and brightens my day with input on my posts! I hope to get back into the swing of things in the near future, and can't wait to share my reviews of books to come.

Here's To Another Year, J

2011-04-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

I put my hand on him. Touching him was always so important to me. It was something I lived for. I never could explain why. Little, nothing touches. My fingers against his shoulder. The outsides of our thighs touching as we squeezed together on the bus. I couldn't explain it, but I needed it. Sometimes I imagined stitching all of our little touches together. How many hundreds of thousands of fingers brushing against each other does it take to make love?

-Jonathan Safran Foer

A Review: Mark Zusak's The Book Thief

2011-04-07T11:57:00.001-04:00

I'll just come out and say it:

I finished The Book Thief. Oh, and I finally decided to post about it, too.

For those of you unfamiliar with Mark Zusak's prize winning novel, The Book Thief follows the lives of several characters residing in Germany throughout World War II.

Liesel Meminger, an orphan, witnesses the death of her young brother while being taken to reside with Hubermann family by her biological mother. Liesel is ever changed by this event, and learns the pain of suffering and loss at a very early age. Once acclimated to life with Rosa and Hans Hubermann, Liesel meets Rudy, her best friend and rival. The narrative paints the town with characters that reside alongside Liesel and her family throughout the progression of the war.
I thought, like so many others, that the use of death as the narrator was neither contrived nor lacking. How poignant is the fact that death is the most prevalent figure in such times? Furthermore, the fact that the novel was written to portray the lives of the Germans who so feared for their own lives was a new reading experience for me. There's not much I can say that numerous other reviewers haven't already stated. I've seen arguments that blame Zusak for simplifying the subject matter and the horrific crimes of the Nazi party. However, I feel that the novel never existed to tackle a huge task of explaining the intricacies of Hitler's rise to power and the fraility of the German nation at this time. No, Zusak is using the text to explain the power of language and human communication. Since this is a children's novel, I hope readers understand that the subject matter has been hashed out in more palatable language, while also encouraging young readers to embark on further investigation of this time period.

The story evokes sympathy and heartache for the individuals that suffered. It teaches compassion while exploring the darkest sides of the human condition. I feel that the novel hopes to convince readers of the beauty of language and the power of words.

I feel the writing itself was not as clear and eloquent as I had imagined it would be after reviewing so many reviews. The story, however, was a complete success. It might not be one of my favorite reads of all time, but I certainly enjoyed it and would recommend it to fellow bookworms.

Note: Book three of the Classics Challenge. (assumed 21st century classic)

A Review: Michelle Moran's Madame Tussaud

2011-03-30T08:00:00.006-04:00

This was my introduction to Moran's work and was largely unaware that her historical fiction titles feature powerful women in such a unique perspective. *Start the cheese* Generally weary of novels that feature such, I hate to say, gaudy cover art, I have finally learned that you should never judge a book by it's cover. *End of cheese*

Madame Tussaud, as you might have guessed, provides an intimate account of the life of one of the world's most well-known wax artists. Alongside a fierce desire to become a highly successful artist, who can support herself, Marie Grosholtz (Madame Tussaud) witnesses the start and end of the French Revolution. Marie cleverly plays her role in a struggle to survive. Morality, power, loss and art are themes explored quite heavily throughout the novel.

The novel loosely follows the progression of the revolution, showing numerous perspectives as Marie maintains contact with both the royal family and the leaders of the revolution. Blood, guts and gore, Marie must make gut-wrenching decisions, from creating wax molds of the heads of cadavers, to sneaking molds into the royal family while they're held captive. Events inspired from reality, Moran breathes life into this enigmatic female.

I found the novel most fascinating due to the fact that the storyline focused on a strong female character; one who possessed wit, intelligence and dedication to achieve stability in her life. Marie, forced to choose between domestic life and a career, faces the inevitable doubt that occurs when choosing one indefinitely. The novel, however, did not rely upon a budding relationship with her male counterpart, Henri, but focused on the political upheavel of the day, making the novel much more informative. For a female (and really any citizen in her position) during this period, it was incredible to see such a feat.

Madame Tussaud explores the intensely dark days of the French Revolution, and the disheartening extremes of humanity. I'd say that the novel isn't necessarily for those who detest violence and devious sexuality, but is worth the read due to the historical figures it presents. I've been on quite the historical hunt to find out more information about many of the individuals represented in the book.

If you enjoy historical fiction that presses you to find out more about the subject, Moran's Madame Tussaud is a perfect selection. Plus, a friend of mine let me borrow her copy of this book, so be sure to visit her site, Literature and a Lens, to see a more thorough review of the novel.

From Book To Movie: Reviews

2011-03-28T08:00:00.006-04:00

I'm not much over a movie-goer, or watcher, or whatever, but J and I decided to make Saturday a movie theatre marathon date night. Such a great idea! Not only were both movies spectacular, but were also adapted for the screen from books.

First, we watched The King's Speech; an account of King George VI's struggle to rid himself of the stammer that afflicted his esteem and aroused doubt in his subjects. The King's Speech is a beautiful historical drama that presents the power of communication. King George used his voice to provide comfort and hope for his people throughout WWII, in contrast to Adolph Hitler's oration, which ignited fury and fear in the hearts of the German peoples. Colin Firth's performance was absolutely incredible. All around feel good film.

Our second viewing was Jane Eyre, the recent film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's novel of the same title. I'll admit I went in slightly skeptical and ready for criticism after recently rereading the novel. The film, a mere two-hour feature, kept in line with much of the novel. I felt that several themes were absent from the film, namely: Jane's intense religious devotion, which was hardly mentioned, and her keen interest in literature and learning, which was also skimmed over. The film, and I guess I should have known, relied heavily upon her infatuation with Rochester (the film did little to help me understand the attraction). The cinematography was spectacular, and quite fitting for the content. Dark hues and damp weather helped create the mood. Furthermore, Mia Wasikowska was alluring, and perfectly cast as a humble Jane.

Seen either of these? What are you thoughts?

A Review: Tana French's In the Woods

2011-03-25T11:13:00.001-04:00

So, unlike most people, I actually read French's latest novel, Faithful Place, before I read the books published prior to it's release. However, I found that it didn't really matter. I think that if you intend to complete all three novels, definitely read In the Woods before The Likeness. In reverse order, I thought it was insightful, given that Frank's character in Faithful Place, an undercover detective, especially detests the Murder Squad, where Rob (Adam), our narrator for In the Woods, is employed. Remember: there are always two sides to the story.

The novel opens with a chilling recount of Adam Ryan's past: a boy found in the woods, alone, with blood filled sneakers, while two of his dearest friends remain lost. The reader is then brought back to present day; Adam is Rob, and a member of the Dublin Murder Squad. Rob and his partner, Cassie, take the case of a missing 12 year old girl in the same wood. Again, French forces the audience to examine the painful associations of character when faced with memories they'd much rather forget.

Unlike Frank, Rob's been educated in England wtih an accent that proves it, is sharply dressed and a has uncanny sense of observation (or so he believes). Rob's character is one you love to hate. He's obnoxious, a stereotypical man and full of ego. He even asserts at one point in the novel that the reader is as blind to the events that have unfolded as he is. I'm thinking, "Ok, I'm not an idiot."

French's writing is lyrical, and I believe it's one of the reasons I find her novels so alluring. I find that I can't put them down, even if, in the end, I'm a little disappointed. The novel is a bit character driven, and you're left wanting more, but the anticipation of solving the crime is too heavy to walk away. Furthermore, I find that her stories are quite realistic, even if Adam's disappearance in the woods is a little unbelievable. Additionally, the dialogue between Rob and Cassie is fun and warm, that is, up until Rob becomes a douchebag and screws the whole thing up. Side note: The inclusion of Cassie's romantic relationship in the end is, outright, laughable.

I found that Faithful Place had a bit more substance for me, which I really liked. French's discussion of the psychology of family life and the demons that haunt the soul after a rough childhood were much more interesting than the semi-ridiculous story our narrator, Rob, conveys in this title. In the Woods is definitely a great first novel, and I would strongly recommend reading the series.

Monday Madness

2011-03-21T10:19:00.002-04:00

Happy Monday, everyone!

I've been running a little behind on my review schedule - apologies, apologies. Did I also mention that this just happens to be one of the busiest weeks of my life?! In the near future you can expect reviews of Tana French's In the Woods, Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, and Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar.

The Weekend Awaits - Ever So Patiently

2011-03-18T12:54:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday! The two day break from the 8 to 5 has been the source of much anticipation. Atlanta's dogwoods and cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. (I'll be including some photos to prove it.)The landscape is filled with blue skies and bright sunshine. It's also going to be close to 80 degrees. That's Atlanta - and I love it.

I finished The Book Thief last night. Tears and all. I'm actually quite congested today because of the intense tear action, and had every intention to post my review this afternoon. But, honestly, it's just going to have to wait until Monday. The book and the craze of the past couple weeks have left me on empty. J left this morning to go stay in the beautiful N. Georgia mountains for the weekend (lucky). I keep wondering if it's terrible that I'm so excited to have the whole place to myself for TWO whole days. Note: He'll be missed. A little. ;)

I'm loving that I've taken the opportunity to create a book blog, and that I'm actively engaged with individuals who share goals and ideals. It's made my life so bright. Sometimes you just need a break, though. This weekend is definitely going to be used to reignite my zeal, tie up some loose ends and do whatever I'm feeling like doing at an exact moment.

So, sorry for the rant. Here are some things that have brought cheer to my life in the past week. Another note: photography is another passion, so you'll definitely be seeing more and more test images as I work my way up as an amateur photographer. Enjoy!

1. Burst of bright color.

2. Window project: felt, twine, yarn, ribbon, buttons and burlap.

3. Flowers. Everywhere.

Hope you enjoy this lovely weekend, too!

Orange Prize Long-List Announced

2011-03-16T09:30:00.000-04:00

As a fan of fiction, a fan of empowered and intelligent women, and prizes that celebrate the two, how would I not be all over the Orange Prize for Fiction? Yes, it's truly incredible. The Orange Prize, which was created in 1996, exists to celebrate and promote the work of outstanding females who write fiction in the English language.

So what does the longlist look like?

Lyrics Alley by Leila Aboulela (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) - Sudanese; 3rd Novel

Jamrach's Menagerie by Carol Birch (Canongate) - British; 10th Novel

Room by Emma Donoghue (Picador) - Irish; 7th Novel

The Pleasure Seekers by Tishani Doshi (Bloomsbury) - Indian; 1st Novel

Whatever You Love by Louise Doughty (Faber and Faber) - British; 6th Novel

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (Corsair) - American; 4th Novel

The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (Bloomsbury) - British/Sierra Leonean; 3rd Novel

The London Train by Tessa Hadley (Jonathan Cape) - British; 4th Novel

Grace Williams Says it Loud by Emma Henderson (Sceptre) - British; 1st Novel

The Seas by Samantha Hunt (Corsair) - American; 1st Novel

The Birth of Love by Joanna Kavenna (Faber and Faber) - British; 2nd Novel

Great House by Nicole Krauss (Viking) - American; 3rd Novel

The Road to Wanting by Wendy Law-Yone (Chatto & Windus) - American; 3rd Novel

The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) - Serbian/American; 1st Novel

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer (Viking) - American; 1st Novel

Repeat it Today with Tears by Anne Peile (Serpent's Tail) - British; 1st Novel

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (Chatto & Windus) - American; 1st Novel

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Lola Shoneyin (Serpent's Tail) - British/Nigerian; 1st Novel

The Swimmer by Roma Tearne (Harper Press) - British; 4th Novel

Annabel by Kathleen Winter (Jonathan Cape) - Canadian; 1st Novel

(Info taken from the Orange prize homepage)

After Farmlane Books and nomadreader announced their predictions for this year's list, I went through to see how many I'd read, and was contemplating reading in the future. Upon seeing these, and following the announcement of the official list, I've realized I have a lot of reading to do. Out of the 20 titles chosen, I've only completed one novel, Emma Donoghue's Room. And I managed to complete only half of Nicole Krauss's Great House, before I realized I was in over my head with reading obligations and haven't picked it up since. Shame.

While I'm sure all are terrific, there are so many things going on that I'll probably only have the opportunity to pick up a few before the announcement of the shortlist on April 12th.

Some I'll be grabbing from the list:

The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht
The London Train by Tessa Hadley
The Birth of Love by Joanna Kavenna
The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Read any of these titles? Feel free to share your favorites, thoughts and/or predictions for the short list!

Photo: Taken from the Orange Prize list page.

Back to the Classics Challenge: March Check In

2011-03-15T10:32:00.003-04:00

Check-in time! Although I had scheduled this to come at a later date (once I had finished The Book Thief), I feel it's necessary to go ahead and provide a little update.

So, if you remember, Sarah (from Sarahreadstoomuch) asked us to choose one book from eight different catagories, all of which should be considered classics, and would need to be finished by June. Eight books in six months. Can't do it? Don't fret - the challenge deadline has been extended to December; however, I'm still for shooting for the original deadline.

An overview of my list: (Items in blue denote links to my reviews; bold and italics, currently reading.)

1. A Banned Book- The Jungle Upton Sinclair

2. A Book with a Wartime Setting (can be any war)- Suite Francaise Irene Nemirovsky

3. A Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) Winner or Runner Up- The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton

4. A Children's/Young Adult Classic- The Magician's Nephew C.S. Lewis

5. 19th Century Classic- Dead Souls Nikolai Gogol

6. 20th Century Classic- The Bell Jar Sylvia Plath

7. A Book you think should be considered a 21st Century Classic- The Book Thief Markus Zusak

8. Re-Read a book from your High School/College Classes- Of Love and Other Demons Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Read: 2 Reading Now: 2 To be Read: 4

So far, things look good. How about you?

Thrifty Book Finds

2011-03-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

Where: Goodwill

Total Spent: $11.00

I already own a copy of Candide (which I love), but had to get this copy because of the sweet cover art.

International Women's Day: 100 Years

2011-03-08T14:15:00.000-05:00

Really loving Google's awesome search icon celebrating the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day. Today, we celebrate the lives of women throughout the world and throughout history. In honor of such a special day, I've compiled a list of some female authors that I feel have influenced/will influence generations, accomplished the unthinkable and are sources of inspiration. Feel free to share your own, and make sure to get over to What Red Read to view her list, as well.

Lorrie Moore

I count too heavily on birthdays, though I know I shouldn't. Inevitably I begin to assess my life by them, figure out how I'm doing by how many people remember; it's like the old fantasy of attending your own funeral: You get to see who your friends are, get to see who shows up.

I'll admit it, I've become obsessed with Lorrie Moore recently. Her writing is so eloquent and raw (very possible). So real, yet so completely far fetched. She writes vivid descriptions with such a sneer. Her female characters deal with contemporary social constructions; yet, the context offers such ridiculous circumstances that readers are forced to examine the hidden meanings. I think she encourages women to embrace the pain and heartache that accompany life, to embrace the beauty of their unique self, to recognize the intelligence that is so deeply embedded and so hard to extricate. Simply put- her work is captivating and genuine.

Audre Lorde

If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.

I was introduced to Audre Lorde's work in a highly influential class in my undergraduate career. As soon as I read the first few essays in Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches I knew I had never viewed work that moved me so. Her language worked through a spectrum of my emotions. Without ever hearing her speak, I was in complete awe of a woman so completely sure of herself, so ready to share with others. Individuals cite feelings of shame, ignorance and empowerment upon viewing her words. I recognized the very center of myself, an attitude wanting to encompass my whole being. This work, consequently, encouraged me to focus on feminist anthropology following the completion of the class. The coursework that followed has made me much of who I am today. I have vowed to read some of Lorde's essays this evening and fully appreciate what her work has done for the world, and for me.

Willa Cather

The fact that I was a girl never damaged my ambitions to be a pope or an emperor.

Her observations of nature alone make her a favorite in my book. Scenery of the Midwestern skies have drawn me into tales that seem highly romantic. However, amidst the striking scenery, Cather deals with tough aspects of the human condition. I find that her novels, packed with hardworking, intelligent females, despite the time period, stick out in my mind. If you haven't read Cather's work yet, what are you waiting for?!?

Of course, I could go on for days (and days) about the women who inspire me, but this is a short list of women that immediately came to mind. How about you? Who's inspired you? What works have changed your perspective in some way?

Happy International Women's Day!

Want to get involved? Here's a Google list of events celebrating IWD .

Bookish Gifts

2011-03-04T08:00:00.002-05:00

A week ago I got a little package from my Grandmother... six handmade bookmarks for all the reading I do! Thanks, Monna. I love them!

Discussion Two of The Age of Innocence Read-Along

2011-03-02T09:26:00.001-05:00

It still seemed wonderful that across all those miles and miles of country--forest, river, mountain, prairie, roaring cities and busy indifferent millions-- Dallas's laugh should be able to say: "Of course, whatever happens, I must get back on the first, because Fanny Beaufort and I are to be married on the fifth."

Well, bookworms, what did you think?

I must admit after just recently finishing off the last 20 pages, I'm setting the novel aside, and feeling a little bewildered. So much time elapsed-- so much was said, so much left unspoken.

As much as many people view The Age of Innocence as a very tragic love story, I, on the other hand, was less focused on the relationship between Countess Olenska and Archer, and more on the budding society of New York that blooms before the reader's very eyes. The quotation above really emphasizes the enormous changes occuring during Archer's life admist the growth of the nation. For his character to have remained unchanged and indifferent would have been a travesty, and, of course, we'd be left without a story. Archer's struggle with new ideas that confront the only way old society's ever taught him how to live, is a very realistic account of these changes.

Despite sheer disappointment with the ending, and I'm very much open to your interpretation, as I had no idea what to make of Archer's decision to walk away from a meeting with the Countess after a 30-year absence, I really loved this novel.

So, let me just get straight to the ranting.

The second half of the novel quickly captures Archer's loss of whatever innocence he may possess as he assumes the "duty" and responsibilites of a male of his age. His marriage to May Welland being the first blow to his imagination and progressive habits. However fiery Archer may feel he still may be, and as much as he struggles to escape the life society has so neatly carved for him, he sinks deeper into his role as head of the household rather quickly. His attempts to win Olenska, and himself, over, are weak and fleeting. There are so many questions to ascertain amidst the drama. How much of a "new" man is Archer? Is the weakening of Archer's generation necessary for the production of his son's generation and the possibility of change it initiates?

Furthermore, the society, itself, is anything but innocent. Their insistence upon "saving face" is mostly absurd. While Beaufort continuously sleeps his way through numerous cities, it isn't until his bad business deals bust that he's decidely a disgusting creature in the sect. Meanwhile, his mistress, Fanny, is ostracized for the mere fact that she's involved in an affair. The double-standard appeal isn't really shocking; it's the way in which members of society are so pleasant in everyday interactions, sombre to the extreme, yet spit venom the moment it has been agreed they may do so. Descriptions of danty women, May especially, with clear blue eyes and clean, fresh skin, is such a sharp contrast to the nature of many of the "trusted" women in this little world. The society is so preoccupied with saving their family names and status, that their peers are merely the ones they were destined to interact with, regardless of whether or not they truly care for one another. It's such an enormous scene of repression. Yet, these characters hardly seem to notice that they really have no control over their own futures. Although, we only see the world through the eyes of Olenska and Archer, the reader is never sure if society members even recognize or care that they've no control.

I felt that the last chapter was a little rushed. Characters were quickly written in to fill the space of Archer and May's three children. Archer was seeing the world from new eyes, that much is clear, finally recognizing the naivete of his youth; yet, still questioning the decisions he made at that young age. We find that May has known all along of the love between Olenska and Archer, although the reader understands this early on. I've read arguments that suggest that May was relieved that Archer chooses duty over the love he could have had simply to save their names. As well as, the idea that the party thrown before Olenska leaves is one celebrating the relief of all involved, that the disgraced woman has finally gathered the sense to leave before causing further damage. The fact that May is more concerned with saving her family's name by asking Archer to remain with her is, both, very saddening, and very real in this circle. Furthermore, May in some way victorious, throws a large party honoring her cousin, only to tout that Archer will remain in his habit with her by his side.

There were so many topics to discuss in this novel that I feel this entry could span many pages, but I want your opinion, so feel free to rant and rave!

What did you enjoy most about this novel? What did you find least appealing?

How would you interpret Archer's refusal to see the Countess in the final scene?

Leave your comments below and be sure to link up to your personal page!

Thanks for participating; it's been a real treat reading together and sharing, gathering so many different perspectives along the way!

Ten Books Collecting Dust

2011-03-01T11:06:00.003-05:00

Even though I've already made one post today about my amazingly cheap finds at the thrift store down the street, I couldn't resist this week's Top Ten Tuesday meme from The Broke and the Bookish.

Today's topic: ten books you just had to have that are still patiently awaiting your grasp in the TBR pile; which, for me, are being piled dangerously on the top of the already crowded shelving unit.

In no particular order here's my list of ten books I need to read (soon):

1. Possession- A.S. Byatt

2. Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name- Vendela Vida

3. If on a Winter's Night a Traveler- Italo Calvino

4. Dead Souls- Nikol Gogol

5. The Sea- John Banville

6. The Book Thief- Mark Zusak

7. The Year of the Flood- Margaret Atwood

8. The Glass Castle- Jeannette Walls

9. Rebecca- Daphne Du Maurier

10. About Grace- Anthony Doerr

Titles in bold denote books that will be read for the Classics Challenge. Those in italics are gifts I've received and a source of shame for not having been read sooner.

Thrifty Book Finds

2011-03-01T08:00:00.003-05:00

Where: Value Village Thrift Store

Total Spent: $ 6.00

A Day in Pictures: Atlanta

2011-02-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

What started out as an idea of "hey, let's jump on marta, go downtown, take some snapshots, grab a bite and head back home on the train," somehow turned into, "hey, since we're here let's just walk east, stop to eat, go back to the old neighborhood and grab the train from there." Five miles later we had seen the heart of Atlanta and many of the beautiful neighborhoods that reside just east of Downtown. We walked up and down the hills of Ponce de Leon Ave., meandered through Freedom Park, stopped in for sunshine and spectacle in Little Five Points and had a cup of tea and a cupcake at Dr. Bombay's in Candler Park before riding back home to Decatur.

And it was awesome.

The end.

Working for the Weekend

2011-02-25T09:21:00.003-05:00

Anyone can be passionate, but it takes real lovers to be silly. -Rose Franken

For the first time in a long time, J and I get to spend the entire weekend together. We're going to lounge, read, create, organize and eat. And it's going to be beautiful.

What are you doing this weekend?

A Review: Emma Donoghue's Room

2011-02-23T12:42:00.000-05:00

Emma Donoghue’s Room was my reading group’s February book pick. Although the title is still only available in hardback, the entire group was so interested in the story that we decided to set the paperback rule aside and go for it. To date, Room has really outdone most of the discussions we’ve had with other titles. I think that really says something.

I’ll spare you the details of the hype; if you’re a true bookworm you’ve heard the title mentioned again and again and AGAIN. Some of you might even have decided against reading it because of this hype, but let me be clear—it’s truly a unique piece of literature.

I hate writing reviews that give you the rundown of the story—read the book to discover these details.

The premise, like Nabokov’s Lolita, is a disturbingly sensitive subject. Jack, a 5 year-old-boy, lives in a room where he’s held captive, along with his Mother. The narrative explores the day to day happenings of such an existence. Donoghue relates the curiosity and ignorance of a child of Jack’s age perfectly. The story, told exclusively through the eyes of young Jack, is much more palatable. The topic is almost innocent, when told through Jack’s perspective, as he is completely unable to understand the situation he is actually living. The novel explores relationships between mother and child, family and loss, violence and power. With the voice of a 5-year-old relating this, there are many gaps to be filled, situations to be digested and worked through. There were definitely moments of strong social commentary and desensitization that were disheartening.

Given the subject matter, there were times when I faced conflict over enjoying the book, especially when I was faced with situations that worked to bring the piece to the climax. There were times when I felt slightly uncomfortable in desiring the novel to progress, but reminded myself that the novel was, of course, a fictional account. Donoghue’s talent is abundantly apparent, and her style is effective.

To truly hash through these points, you’d have to read the book. I strongly encourage those who have been considering the title to pick it up for argument’s sake

A Brilliant Dose of Audre Lorde

2011-02-22T16:05:00.002-05:00

I'm ashamed to admit that despite my overwhelming respect for Audre Lorde, I didn't take a moment last week to celebrate the day of her birth, 77 years ago. I can't think of a writer/activist/individual who's work has spoken to me as deeply as Lorde's. Upon intense self-reflection the past couple of days, I've realized I need her words of wisdom more than ever.

The following are two of my most favorite quotations:

"I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood."

"As we come to know accept, and explore our feelings, they will become sanctuaries and fortresses and spawning grounds for the most radical and daring of ideas-- the house of difference so necessary to change and the conceptualization of any meaningful action."

You really should find her work if you have not done so already.

TBR: Six Months of Titles

2011-02-21T08:00:00.006-05:00

I'm sure that I've mentioned that, in addition to this lovely little blog, and that lovely little Classics Challenge I signed up for, and that lovely little Read-Along I decided to host- whew! breather, I also lead/co-lead two reading groups in the Atlanta area. The first, I created to meet people in the area who enjoyed reading and socializing; the second, I created when I became a volunteer with a local women's health center. Both have offered me so much more than I ever could have imagined. I've been lucky enough to be apart of two group of females that are uber-intelligent and great to be around! Thanks, guys!

It's fun but it's not always easy. Shocker: choosing selections for book clubs can sometimes be the hardest part of the whole ordeal!

Will everyone like it? Would this generate meaningful discussion? Is this out in paperback? If not, is everyone willing to shell out the big bucks for hardback copies? Will this particular title be too short/long for everyone?

It's work. But I love doing it!

In order to avoid this pesky task we decided to each select one book that we really wanted to read and toss it in a hat (it was actually a coffee cup that was for sale at the shop because we sort of forgot the hat). It was quite exciting to see what books people had been waiting to suggest. I thought I'd post a little blurb on the books that were selected and will appear on my TBR calendar for the next six months.

Here goes:

MARCH

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

April we'll be taking a little break because two of our lovely ladies are tying the knot! I can't wait to read and share! What's in your TBR list? Feeling overwhelmed? It's ok--I think that's only natural!

Sunday Edition: A Day Trip

2011-02-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

With the madness of the Read-Along, the book club meetings and various commitments I didn't get to post my adventure last Sunday. With the weather in the high 60s, J came home from a Sunday meeting with plans to cart me to Chattanooga for the day. WE LOVE CHATTANOOGA. I mean, what's not to love about the Northshore?!

Here are some photos of our excursion:

Food at our favorite hot dog hang out. J bought me a copy of Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer at one of my favorite used book stores. And we sat in the park and watched people enjoying the beautiful weather. I also attempted to jump a stone divider, which resulted in one of the funniest slideshow of photos of me (courtesy of my lovely boyfriend) to date. Apparently, you shouldn't listen to someone who's 6'3"tell you it's really easy when you barely grew to be 5'5". It was so worth it, though.

What did you do this weekend?

A Review: Tana French's Faithful Place

2011-02-18T08:00:00.005-05:00

I’ve been getting a little behind on the book reviews. I read The Thirteenth Tale after finding a great used copy at my local Goodwill back in January. I LOVED the book, but because of so many unexpected situations, I never had the chance to sit down and write a review that would do it any justice. Although I really enjoyed the novel, there was so much information that I’d literally have to go back and re-read sections just to give you an accurate picture of what the novel has in store for the reader. Mystery abound, the dark nature of the storyline is gripping from the start. To make the title even more fantastic, our narrator is a book-loving young woman who spends her hours reading and perfecting the shelves of her father’s book shop. It’s a must read if you like Southern Gothic literature and/or mystery/suspense/thriller titles.

Because I’ve never really sought work labeled mystery/suspense/thriller, I've found that I sort of stumble upon it when I see a really intriguing review or short snippet of a synopsis. This is precisely the case with Tana French’s Faithful Place. I’m so glad I have her previous novel, In the Woods, to read next, because it was so captivating.

Frank, our protagonist, is called back to his hometown neighborhood, 20 years after pledging never to return, when the suitcase of a girl he loved is found in an abandoned building. Frank, himself, is an undercover cop by profession, and vehemently disliked by the seven family members he’s left behind. Frank is faced with painful memories from a childhood that was anything but stable and healthy. His father, an alcoholic, who frequently physically abused his mother, drove Frank to leave his five siblings behind, and forge a pact with his young love, Rosie, to set sail for England. When his plans are mysteriously foiled, Frank sets off alone without looking back. Back at Faithful Place, Frank is forced to face the failed attempt to depart with the young woman that night so long ago.

I'm not quite sure I've read many fictional titles that portray such a negative family life. At times, I found it extremely hard to consider the way in the which the family members interacted with one another. Based on one of Dublin's poorer neighborhoods, French captures the essence of the neighborhood and the period, and perplexes the American reader with strong dialect. Frank is an all-around interesting character and keeps the story going.

A captivating read from start to finish, Faithful Place is perfect if you're looking for a little suspense.

Discussion One of The Age of Innocence Read-Along

2011-02-16T09:59:00.004-05:00

What was or was not "the thing" played a part as important in Newland Archer’s New York as the inscrutable totem terrors that had ruled the destinies of his forefathers thousand of years ago.

If asked to provide one quotation that I thought would best represent the work, I would no doubt cite the one above. After completing Book One, I’m so glad to have picked this title for a read-along; its pages encourage the reader to amorously continue flipping the pages, and also discuss the many intricacies of New York society. It’s been quite fascinating thus far and I’m hoping everyone is enjoying it as much as I am.

Because this is my first read-along and I wanted to make the experience unique, I haven’t created a list of questions to press to the readers. Feel free to pose your own questions for the blogging community to answer, list any qualms you have with what you’ve read so far or mention anything you particularly like about the novel.

At this point, I’m very much intrigued by the many rules that govern this budding New York society. I say budding, because New York’s society is nothing more than an infant in comparison to the great and learned cities of the world. The author makes several references to the frailty of purity and how it is easily broken. New York society thrives on the purity of their crowd, and is handled with utmost care by these rules and regulations in the hope that this carved out upper crust remains unbroken.

The protagonist, Newland Archer, is very much a lover of the thinking man (and woman to an extent), enjoying literature and the arts. However, the society surrounding him is very much disinterested in these habits. New York society shuns most activities that encourage any individual to question the rules that govern this essentially unstable set.

One of my favorite quotations:

“An unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical world required that the German text of French operas sung by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the clearer understanding of the English speaking audiences.”

This quotation not only helps to elucidate the stringent rules of society, but also contains Wharton’s flair for such sly wit.

Another fascinating aspect is Archer’s view of women. He strongly wishes that May think for herself and develop habits much like his own. He admires these qualities in Countess Olenska, and is most likely the source of attraction. He frequently voices his disagreeable opinion that women be able to experience, for the most part, the same freedoms as men. However, Archer, himself, does not always recognize that he wishes to shape his women even though he disdains this treatment in larger society. Archer explains that women are blindly led through life, retaining their purity, and leading a life generally uneducated to the trials of the real world until a man suddenly removes the veil and creates meaning. Furthermore, frailty plays an even larger role as women, who may remain pure their entire lives, can be reduced to nothing with the faintest hint of misconduct. Archer specifically states in one particular instance, “when 'such things happened' it was undoubtedly foolish of the man, but somehow criminal of the woman.” It’s really unclear for me how much Archer truly believes his own proclamations of the status of women, as his motivation might strictly be for the benefit of the Countess.

With the conclusion of Book One, I’m really anticipating the events that will occur in Book Two. When I first picked up reading I was feeling hesitant, but after finishing off Book One last night, I can’t wait to pick it up again.

Link below so that other participants can view what you have to say about The Age of Innocence, or comment below if you've read the novel and wanted to share!

Love is Everywhere

2011-02-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

Although J and I don't celebrate Valentine's Day, I still love the precious little hearts you see all around prior to the big day. Hey, I even baked some heart-shaped scones for one of my best friends, and butterscotch oatmeal cookies for my co-workers. So here's a little wish that all you bookworms enjoy a day full of love and warmth! I thought I'd share a collection of all the little hearts that I've spotted and captured whilst living and loving recently. Hope you enjoy!